Bilboes—shipboard shackles devised in the Spanish foundries of Bilbao
Brahmin—the highest Hindu caste
Compagnie des Indes Orientales—The French East India Company
Dhoolie—a covered litter
Dhoti—loincloth
Dongi—small canoe made from plantain leaves
Dubash—literally ‘two languages’, hence an interpreter or secretary
Dungri—blue Indian cotton cloth
Howdah—saddle or house on back of elephant
Feringhi—foreigner
Karma—fate or destiny, a person’s activities in many reincarnations. Hinduism. Buddhism
Kshatriya—the second highest and Hindu warrior caste
Moong dal—a split pea, frequently used in a savoury pancake batter
Pankration—ancient manner of Greek combat, forerunner of Japanese Karate
Panchama—literally, ‘the fifth’, people outside the four Indian castes
Punkah—overhead fan operated by rope
Sari—female garb, long cloth
Sepoy—Indian troop trained by European standards
Sudra—people below the Hindu high castes
Topiwallah—literally, men with hats; hence, foreigners
Vaisya—the third Hindu caste, the powerful merchant class