[36] Lal, Estrelda amandava, the avadavat, is so called because it
    was brought to Europe from Ahmadabad.

[37] Atishbazi, fire-play.

[38] Holi, the spring festival of the Hindus, at which bonfires are
    lighted, coloured water thrown about, and much obscenity is practiced.

[39] See p. 161.

[40] Chabena, chabeni, what is munched or chewed (chabna).

[41] Tamashawala:  tamashabin, a spectator of wonders.

[42] Sampwala.

[43] ‘Mr. Secretary.’

[44] It is generally believed snakes do not live apart from their species;
    if one is destroyed in a house, a second is anticipated and generally
    discovered. [Author.]

[45] Dastur, dasturi, the percentage appropriated on purchase
    by servants.

[46] Saiqalgar, corrupted into sikligar, a polisher.

[47] Dahi khatai.  There is no mystery about the preparation. 
    Milk is boiled and soured by being poured into an earthen vessel in
    which curds have previously been kept.  Sometimes, but less frequently,
    an acid or rennet is added to precipitate the solid ingredients of the
    milk.

[48] Malai.

[49] Makkhan.

[50] Burfwala.

[51] Roshanai, ‘brightness’, made of lampblack, gum-arabic, and
    aloe juice.  Elaborate prescriptions are given by Jaffur Shurreef
    (Qanoon-e-Islam 150 f.).

[52] Lithography and printing are now commonly done by natives.

[53] Letters usually begin with, the invocation,
    Bi’-smi’illahi’r-rahmani’r-rahim, ’In the name of Allah,
    the Compassionate, the Merciful.’  The monogram ‘I’ is often
    substituted, as being the initial of Allah, and the first letter of
    the alphabet.

[54] If the Koran were wrapped in a skin and thrown into fire, it would
    not burn, say the Traditions (Hughes, Dictionary of Islam, 521). 
    Compare the care taken by the Chinese to save paper on which writing
    appears (J.H.  Gray, China, i. 178).

[55] Surma, a black ore of antimony, a tersulphide found in the
    Panjab, often confused by natives with galena, and most of that
    sold in bazars is really galena.  It is used as a tonic to the nerves
    of the eye, and to strengthen the sight.

LETTER XVII

Seclusion of Females.—­Paadshah Begum.—­The Suwaarree.—­Female Bearers.—­Eunuchs.—­Rutts.—­Partiality of the Ladies to Large retinues.—­Female Companions.—­Telling the Khaunie.—­Games of the Zeenahnah.—­Shampooing.—­The Punkah.—­Slaves and slavery.—­Anecdote.—­The Persian Poets.—­Fierdowsee.—­Saadie, his ’Goolistaun’.—­Haafiz.—­Mahumud Baarkur.—­’Hyaatool Kaaloob’.—­Different manner of pronouncing Scripture names...Page 248