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Hookah smoking in colonial Calcutta
Hookah smoking began in the royal courts of Mughal India, and like many other local customs, it was readily adopted by British colonials in the 18th century as a symbol of wealth and status.
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The evil eye and social anxiety
The ‘look’ of the evil eye is believed to bring bad luck, illness or even death. This ancient curse might be deliberate, inflicted with an envious glare, or it could be accidental, the result of undue attention or excessive praise.
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Two standing men holding hookahs. Gouache painting.
Reference: 726616i- Pictures
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A sadhu and another man smoking hookahs. Drawing.
Reference: 726617i- Pictures
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Two men smoking cocoa nut hookahs, Calcutta, West Bengal. Coloured etching by François Balthazar Solvyns, 1799.
Solvyns, Balt. (Balthazar), 1760-1824.Date: [1799]Reference: 30679iPart of: Manners, customs, and dresses of the Hindoos- Pictures
A holy man trying to restrain two other reluctant holy men from smoking their hookahs. Watercolour drawing.
Reference: 27918i- Pictures
- Online
A standing man holding a hookah. Gouache painting.
Reference: 726615i