Introduction -- Earth, wind, foul and fragrant: the theory of smelling and odors in medieval South Asia -- Lotus, fish, and cows: the smell-scape of traditional South Asia -- Flowers and fish in the Mahabharata -- Moon juice and uproar: perfumery texts -- Allies, enemies, and Yaksa mud: perfumes -- The incense trees of the land of emeralds: exotic aromatics in medieval South Asia -- Sandalwood: merchants, expertise and profit -- Bois des îsles -- The toilette of the gods.