Thomas Hoover - The Moghul

Finally, I am most indebted to a number of tireless readers who reviewed the manuscript in its various drafts and supplied many insightful suggestions: including my editor, Lisa Drew, my agent, Virginia Barber, and my patient friends Joyce Hawley, Susan Fainstein, Norman Fainstein, Ronald Miller, and Gary Prideaux. Most of all I thank Julie Hoover, for many years of assistance, encouragement, and enthusiasm.

affion-opium aga-concentrated rose oil akas-diya-central camp light alap-opening section of a raga ankus-hook used for guiding an elephant arak-Indian liquor areca-betel nut used in making pan art ha-practical, worldly "duty" in Hinduism Asvina-Lunar month of September-October azan-Muslim call to prayer bhang-drink made from hemp (marijuana) biryani-rice cooked with meat and spices bols-specific hand strokes on the Indian drum cartaz-Portuguese trading license charts-cattle sheds chapattis-unleavened fried wheat cakes chapp-seal or stamp charkhi-fireworks used to discipline elephants in combat chaturanga-chess chaudol-traveling conveyance similar to palanquin chaugan-Indian "polo" chauki-weekly guard duty at the Red Fort chaupar-Indian dice game chelas-mercenary troops beholden to single commander chillum-clay tobacco bowl on a hookah chitah-Indian leopard dai-midwife nurse dal-lentils darshan-ceremonial dawn appearance of Moghul devadasi-temple dancer, a special caste dey-Turkish ruler dharma-purpose or duty in life of Hindus dhoti-loincloth diwali-Indian New Year Diwan-i-Am-Hall of Public Audience Diwan-i-Khas-Hall of Private Audience durbar-public audience feringhi-foreigner fil-kash-elephant-drawn cannon firman-royal decree frigalla-Portuguese frigate gau-kash-ox-drawn cannon ghee-clarified butter ghola-blend of opium and spice gopi-milkmaid gulal bar-royal compound in camp gur-unrefined cane sugar guru-teacher gurz-three-headed club hal-goalposts for chaugan harkara-confidential court reporters hookah-water pipe for smoking tobacco howdah-seat carried on back of elephant jagir-taxable lands granted to a nobleman kama-love, sensual pleasure karwa-Indian seaman katar-knife designed for thrusting khabardar-"take heed" khaftan-quilted vest worn under armor kos-approximately two miles kamar-band-ceremonial waist sash lakh-a hundred thousand lapsi-preparation of gur, ghee, and wheat lila-play or sport lor langar-chain attached to elephant's leg lungi-long waist wrap worn by men mahal-palace mahout-elephant driver maidan-public square mansab-rank given a nobleman mansabdar-nobleman granted estates to tax mardum-kash-small cannon masala-blend of spices, "curry powder" mihaffa-wooden turret suspended between two animals mina bazaar-mock bazaar held on Persian New Year mirdanga-South Indian drum mohur-gold coin mudra-hand signs in the Indian classical dance musallim-navigator on Indian ship mutasaddi-chief port official nakuda-owner-captain of Indian trading vessel naqqara-khana-entry to royal compound nashudani-"good-for-nothing" nautch-suggestive dance nezah-lance nilgai-Indian deer nim-plant whose root is used for cleaning teeth nimaste-Hindi greeting, "Hello" pahar-three hours pakhar-steel plate elephant armor palas-wood used for chaugan stick pan-betel leaf rolled around betel nut and spices and chewed panch-wine punch pandit-Hindu scholar pice-Indian "penny" postibangh-mixture of opium and hemp extract prahna-spirit, life force Puranas-Hindu scriptures qamargha-hunt using beaters to assemble game qarawals-beaters for hunt qazi-judge qur-hunting enclosure containing game rasa-aesthetic mood rasida-"arrived"; a piece that reaches center in chaupar board game sachaq-marriage present sandali-type of eunuch sarachah-royal platform sarangi-Indian musical instrument, resembling violin sari-woman's wrap sati-immolation of Hindu wife with body of her husband sehra-bridegroom's crown sharbat-lemon and sugar drink shikar-the hunt sitkrita-intake of breath signifying female orgasm strappado-Portuguese torture device sum-climax of rhythmic cycle in Indian music sutra-Hindu scripture suwar-"horse rank" granted noblemen swanih-nigar-special spy tari-species of palm tavaif- Muslim courtesan teslim-prostrate bow to Moghul tithi-day in the lunar calendar todah-mound of earth for bow and arrow target practice topiwallah-"man who wears a hat," i.e., a foreigner tundhi-drink made from seeds and juices vama-Aryan scriptures wakianavis-public court reporters wallah-man wazir-counselor yogi- Hindu contemplative zat-personal rank given a nobleman zenana-harem zihgir-thumb ring for shooting bow