east india company: an English company formed in 1600 to develop trade with the new British colonies in India and southeastern Asia; in the 18th century it assumed administrative control of Bengal and held it until the British army took over in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny
entity: that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)
guimpe: a piece of starched cloth covering the shoulders of a nun's habit