1871.—"The Zemindars of Lower Bengal, the landed proprietary established by Lord Cornwallis, have the worst reputation as landlords, and appear to have frequently deserved it."—Maine, Village Communities, 163.
ZENANA, s. Pers. zanāna, from zan, 'woman'; the apartments of a house in which the women of the family are secluded. This Mahommedan custom has been largely adopted by the Hindus of Bengal and the Mahrattas. Zanāna is also used for the women of the family themselves. The growth of the admirable Zenana Missions has of late years made this word more familiar in England. But we have heard of more than one instance in which the objects of this Christian enterprise have been taken to be an amiable aboriginal tribe—"the Zenanas."
[1760.—"I am informed the Dutch chief at Bimlipatam has ... embarked his jenninora on board a sloop bound to Chinsurah...."—In Long, 236.]
1761.—"... I asked him where the Nabob was? Who replied, he was asleep in his Zunana."—Col. Coote, in Van Sittart, i. 111.
1780.—"It was an object with the Omrahs or great Lords of the Court, to hold captive in their Zenanahs, even hundreds of females."—Hodges, Travels, 22.
1782.—"Notice is hereby given that one Zoraveer, [consumah] to Hadjee Mustapha of Moorshedabad these 13 years, has absconded, after stealing.... He has also carried away with him two Women, heretofore of Sujah Dowlah's Zenana; purchased by Hadjee Mustapha when last at Lucknow, one for 300 and the other for 1200 Rupees."—India Gazette, March 9.
1786.—
"Within the Zenana, no longer would they
In a starving condition impatiently stay,
But break out of prison, and all run away."