Common Nouns Lexicon

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that advocates non-violence, truth, and asceticism. It is known for its teachings on reincarnation and karma.

A jalis is a perforated stone screen, commonly used in Indo-Islamic architecture for decoration, ventilation, and light regulation.

The Janissaries were an elite military unit of the Ottoman Empire, composed primarily of young Christian boys who were captured and converted to Islam. They played a crucial role in the Empire's military campaigns and were known for their rigorous discipline and loyalty to the sultan.

Janna refers to paradise in Islamic belief, envisioned as a garden of eternal bliss for the righteous.

The Jataka tales are stories that recount the previous lives of the Buddha, illustrating his virtues and teachings through various rebirths.

Jharokhas are overhanging balconies or windows, often richly decorated, characteristic of Indo-Islamic architecture, mainly used in palaces and havelis in Rajasthan.

The jizya is a tax historically levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule.

A Jogini is a female figure associated with yoga, spiritual power and the Tantric traditions of India. The term may refer to a human practitioner, an initiate or a deity. In several Hindu traditions, Joginis form groups of goddesses, most commonly represented as a circle of sixty-four divine figures.

The kalasa is an architectural element often placed atop Hindu temples, symbolizing a sacred pot representing abundance and fertility.