Chapter 2: Guide

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𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 | لغت

Aasmaan: Sky

Abu: Father

Aks: Reflection

Ami: Mother

Azan: The Islamic call to prayer, delivered by recitation

Badshah: King

Baghi: Rebellious

Banarsi: Material that is finely woven silk with engraved designs that contrast in colour. The fabric style originated from its use in saris

Bazaar: A traditional South, West, and Central Asian marketplace.

Begum: A title for an esteemed high ranking woman

Beshak: Without doubt

Burka: A loose garment worn by Muslim women that covers the entire body and face, often with a mesh screen around the eyes in order to not restrict their vision. Some styles don't include the mesh screen which is when a niqab is required separately

Chandi: Silver

Darjah: Rank

Deedar: Sight, beholding a view

Doli: A palanquin that is used to carry a bride

Dua: Supplication

Dulhan: Bride

Dunya: World

Dupatta: A scarf-like length of fabric worn by women in South Asia around the head, shoulders, and neck. It has connotations that imply a sense of modesty and decorum

Fajr: One of the five mandatory Islamic prayers, offered at dawn

Ghulaam: Slave

Ghussa: Anger

Gulaab: Rose

Gulzaan: The capital of Sherqul, where Zartasha's mehal is located (fictional)

Gulzaani: Relating to the city of Gulzaan or its people

Gustakhi: Bold or blatant disrespect and rudeness

Haal: Condition

Handi: A deep, wide-mouthed vessel used to cook/serve food in South Asia

Hukmarani: Governance

Hukum: Title for one who commands and holds absolute power

Husn: Beauty

Imam: Title given to respectable individuals who lead Islamic prayers and help guide Muslims in matters of religion

Insani: Humanly

Isha: One of the five mandatory Islamic prayers, offered at night when the sky is shrouded in complete darkness

Ishq: Love

Jaan: Life force, often used as an endearment for a loved one

Jamaat: An assembly or group, typically of those participating in prayer arrangements

Jamni: Purple

Janazah: Funeral

Jhalak: Glimpse

Jhumkian: A traditional style of earrings worn in South Asia

Jigar: Liver, often used in the same context as the heart since it is a precious organ

Jummah: Friday

Junoon: Craze

Junooni: Crazed, obsessed

Kajal: Black powder used as cosmetic in South Asia, typically to emphasize and darken around the eyes

Kalma: A confession of faith, it is a phrase meant to be repeated and expressed often

Kalthura: Arzam's mulk, ruled by him (fictional)

Kalthuran: Relating to Kalthura or its people

Kamar: Waist

Kameez: A long tunic (can vary in fitting) worn by people in South Asia. Usually paired with a shalwar

Kangan: Jewellery worn around the wrist for decoration

Khanjar: Dagger

Kitaab: Book

Kurta: A loose shirt worn by people in South Asia, typically coming to mid-thigh. Can vary in style, fabric, and embroidery

Lehenga: An ankle-length traditional skirt worn by women in South Asia. Often varying in design

Maaf: Forgive

Maang tikka: A piece of jewellery worn in the middle parting of the hair to adorn the forehead

Maghrib: One of the five mandatory Islamic prayers, offered at sunset

Makhmal: Velvet

Malka: Queen

Malkiat: Ownership

Maqaam: Status, position

Masjid: Mosque

Mehal: Palace

Mehendi: Henna

Mehman: Guest

Mehman nawazi: Hospitality

Meyaar: Standards

Mohlat: Duration of time

Mubarak: Congratulations

Mulk: Country

Nigrani: Surveillance

Nikah: The Islamic marriage ceremony where a respective couple signs a marriage contract in front of an imam/qazi and two witnesses

Niqab: A face veil worn by Muslim women that covers all parts of the face except the eyes

Paandan: Betel box

Paheli: Riddle

Pakwaan: A well-prepared assortment of food items/dishes

Parda nasheen: Abiders of modesty who habitually veil themselves in public

Qalmazar: The capital of Kalthura, where Arzam's mehal is located (fictional)

Qazi: Solemniser of Islamic marriage, and a representative of the social judiciary who serve civil matters according to the principles from the Quran

Qibla: The direction of the Kaaba (holy and sacred building in Mecca) towards which Muslims turn while praying

Raat: Night

Raaz: Secret

Rab: Lord

Rasms: Rituals

Razamandi: Willingness, consent

Rumali roti: A thin flatbread originating from South Asia

Sang e Mar Mar: Marble

Saughat: A tributary gift

Sawari: Conveyance

Shaadi: Wedding

Shahi: Royal

Shair: Lion

Shalwar: A pair of billowing trousers narrowing to a tight fit around the ankles, worn by people in South Asia. Usually paired with a kameez

Sharara: A pair of loose pleated trousers that flare at the ankles, worn by women in South Asia. Usually heavy with fabric and beading

Shehr: City

Shehzadi: Princess

Sherqul: Zartasha's mulk, previously ruled by her father (fictional)

Sherquli: Relating to Sherqul or its people

Shiddat: Intensity

Shikari: Hunter

Siyah: Black

Sultan: Ruler, a title given to supreme kings

Surkh: Red

Taaqat: Power, strength

Takbeer: An Islamic term referring to when the phrase 'God is the greatest' is mentioned in prayer and recitation

Takht o taaj: Regalia

Talwar: A curved sword originating from South Asia

Tawa: A flat disc-shaped frying pan popularly used in South Asia

Tayl: Oil

Teer: Arrow

Thaal: Platter

Wehshi: Barbaric

Zaat: Selfhood

Zameen: Land, ground

Zardozi: A specific style of heavy and elaborate embroidery performed on rich fabrics like silk, velvet, and satin with metal-like threads. Can be incorporated with different types of beading

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𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 | تلفظ

Zartasha Fahim: Zuhr-tuh-shah Fa-heem

Arzam Hyderi: Ar-zaum Heh-der-ee

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New words will be added to this list as the chapters mentioning them are published. Hope this helps!!