Chapter CHOGA to CHOOLA of C by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

CHOGA to CHOOLA

CHOGA, s. Turki chogha. A long sleeved garment, like a dressing-gown (a purpose for which Europeans often make use of it). It is properly an Afghan form of dress, and is generally made of some soft woollen material, and embroidered on the sleeves and shoulders. In Bokhara the word is used for a furred robe. [“In Tibetan ch’uba; in Turki juba. It is variously pronounced chuba, juba or chogha in Asia, and shuba or shubka in Russia” (J.R.A.S., N.S. XXIII. 122)].

1883.—“We do not hear of ‘shirt-sleeves’ in connection with Henry (Lawrence), so often as in John’s case; we believe his favourite dishabille was an Afghan choga, which like charity covered a multitude of sins.”—Qu. Review, No. 310, on Life of Lord Lawrence, p. 303.

CHOKIDAR, s. A watchman. Derivative in Persian form from Choky. The word is usually applied to a private watchman; in some parts of India he is generally of a thieving tribe, and his employment may be regarded as a sort of blackmail to ensure one’s property. [In N. India the village Chaukidar is the rural policeman, and he is also employed for watch and ward in the smaller towns.]

1689.—“And the Day following the Chocadars, or Souldiers were remov’d from before our Gates.”—Ovington, 416.

1810.—“The chokey-dar attends during the day, often performing many little offices,…at night parading about with his spear, shield, and sword, and assuming a most terrific aspect, until all the family are asleep; when HE GOES TO SLEEP TOO.”—Williamson, V. M. i. 295.

c. 1817.—“The birds were scarcely beginning to move in the branches of the trees, and there was not a servant excepting the chockedaurs, stirring about any house in the neighbourhood, it was so early.”—Mrs. Sherwood’s Stories, &c. (ed. 1873), 243.

1837.—“Every village is under a potail, and there is a pursau or priest, and choukeednop (sic!) or watchman.”—Phillips, Million of Facts, 320.

1864.—The church book at Peshawar records the death there of “The Revd. I—L—1, who on the night of the—th—, 1864, when walking in his veranda was shot by his own chokidar”—to which record the hand of an injudicious friend has added: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (The exact words will now be found in the late Mr. E. B. Eastwick’s Panjáb Handbook, p. 279).

CHOKRA, s. Hind. chhokra, ‘a boy, a youngster’; and hence, more specifically, a boy employed about a household, or a regiment. Its chief use in S. India is with the latter. ‘(See CHUCKAROO.)

[1875.—“He was dubbed ‘the chokra,’ or simply ‘boy.’”—Wilson, Abode of Snow, 136.]

CHOKY, s. H. chauki, which in all its senses is probably connected with Skt. chatur, ‘four’; whence chatushka, ‘of four,’ ‘four-sided,’ &c.

a. (Perhaps first a shed resting on four posts); a station of police; a lock-up; also a station of palankin bearers, horses, &c., when a post is laid; a customs or toll-station, and hence, as in the first quotation, the dues levied at such a place; the act of watching or guarding.

[1535.—“They only pay the choqueis coming in ships from the Moluccas to Malacca, which amounts to 3 parts in 10 for the owner of the ship for choque, which is freight; that which belongs to His Highness pays nothing when it comes in ships. This choque is as far as Malacca, from thence to India is another freight as arranged between the parties. Thus when cloves are brought in His Highness’s ships, paying the third and the choquies, there goes from every 30 bahars 16 to the King, our Lord.”—Arrangement made by Nuno du Cunha, quoted in Botelho Tombo, p. 113. On this Mr. Whiteway remarks: “By this arrangement the King of Portugal did not ship any cloves of his own at the Moluccas, but he took one- third of every shipment free, and on the balance he took one-third as Choky, which is, I imagine, in lieu of customs.”]

c. 1590.—“Mounting guard is called in Hindi Chauki.”—Ain, i. 257.

1608.—“The Kings Custome called Chukey, is eight bagges upon the hundred bagges.”—Saris, in Purchas, i. 391.

1664.—“Near this Tent there is another great one, which is called Tchaukykane, because it is the place where the Omrahs keep guard, every one in his turn, once a week twenty-four hours together.”—Bernier, E.T., 117; [ed. Constable, 363].

1673.—“We went out of the Walls by Broach Gate…where, as at every gate, stands a Chocky, or Watch to receive Toll for the Emperor.…”—Fryer, 100.

“And when they must rest, if they have no Tents, they must shelter themselves under Trees…unless they happen on a Chowkie, i.e., a Shed where the Customer keeps a Watch to take Custom.”—Ibid. 410.

1682.—“About 12 o’clock