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.
Ghat.	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 Cod.
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 Ban.	The chamber occupied by the family deity.
Tulsi.	A plant held sacred by the Hindus.
Zemindar.	A landholder.
Zillah.	A district or local division.

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