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Glossary

Ahimsa Non-violence ; love
Ashram A place of spiritual retirement ; Gandhiji's colony of workers Hindu philosophy of Monism or Non-dualism
Bhagawata Name of a Purana, a sacred book of Hindus Zoroastrian fire-temple
Brahmachari unmarried student ; anyone who practices chastity
Brahmacharya continence, chastity
Charkha spinning wheel
Coolie wage-earner ; a term of contempt used for Indians in South Africa
Dastur Parsi priest
Dharma religion ; code of conduct
Dhoti loose cloth worn round the waist by Indian men
Gurukula teacher's family ; ancient type of school in India where pupils lived with their teacher as members of his family ; school conducted by members of Arya Samaj
Harijan people of God ; a name given to 'untouchables' by Gandhiji
Kamdhenu Kamadhenu, Kamadhuk-a fabulous cow which fulfils all desires
Khaddar Khadi-hand-spun, hand-woven cloth
Koran scared book of Muslims
Mantra pithy, scared text used for meditation
Maund Indian unit of weight, varying in different places in India from about 25lb. to 82lb.
Mafussil outlying district
Mulla Muslim priest
Nai Talim the New Education ; Basic Education
Rishi seer ; prophet
Sahib gentleman
Shastra sacred book of Hindus, embodying tradition
Shudra the fourth caste consisting of manual workers
Swadeshi indigenous, belonging go one's own locality
Swaraj self-government
Takli spindle used in spinning with the fingers without the use of the spinning wheel
Talimi Sangh association for the spread of Basic Education or New Education
Tola Indian weight, equivalent of 3/8th ounce
Varna caste
Vidyapith national university ; literally, seat of learning
Vidyarthi student ; literally, seeker after knowledge