The Poison Tree
by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Glossary
1691992The Poison Tree — GlossaryBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

GLOSSARY OF HINDU WORDS.


Attar.   Commonly called in England Otto of Roses.

Bari.   The Hindu home.

Bhagirati.   A river, branch of the Ganges.

Boiragi.   A religious devotee.

Boisnavi.   A female mendicant; a votary of Vishnu.

Boroari.   A Hindu festival.

Boita khana.   The sitting-room of the male members of the household, and their guests.

Bonti.   A fish knife.

Bou.   The wife.

Brahmachari.   A student of the Vedas.

Brahman.   An officiating Hindu priest

Brahmo Somaj.   The church of the Theistic sect or Brahmos.

Dada Babu.   Elder brother.

Dahuk.   A bird of the Crane species.

Didi.   Elder sister.

Duftur Khana.   Accountant's office.

Durga.   A Hindu goddess.

Darwan.   A doorkeeper.

Ghāt.   Landing steps to a river or tank.

Ghi.   Clarified butter.

Gomashta.   Factor or agent; a rent-collector.

Grihini.   The house-mistress.

Ganga.   The river Ganges.

Joisto.   The Hindu month corresponding to May—June.

Kabiraj.   A Hindu physician.

Kacheri.   Courthouse, or Revenue-office.

Kayasta.   The writer caste.

Khansamah.   A Mahommedan butler.

Korta.   The master of the house.

Ma Thakurani.   A title of respect to the mistress.

Mahal.   A division of a house.

Malini.   A flower girl.

Manji.   A boatman.

Naib.   A deputy, representing the Zemindar.

Pandit.   A learned Brahman.

Papiya.   A bird.

Puja.   Hindu worship.

Puja Mahal.   The division of the house devoted to worship.

Pardah.   A screen or curtain.

Ryot.   A tiller of the soil.

Sari.   A woman's garment.

Shastras.   Hindu sacred books.

Shradda.   An obsequial ceremony, in which food and water are offered to deceased ancestors.

Siva.   A Hindu God.

Sraban.   The Hindu months corresponding to July—August.

Talao.   A tank or enclosed pond.

Thakur.   The Deity; sometimes applied as a title of honour to the master of the house.

Thakur Bari.   The chamber occupied by the family deity.

Tulsi.   A plant held sacred by the Hindus.

Zemindar.   A landholder.

Zillah.   A district or local division.

UNWIN BROTHERS, THE GRESHAM PRESS, CHILWORTH AND LONDON.