These diplomatic setbacks partly explain England’s military ineffectiveness in the 1370s, but equally important were lack of leadership, lack of money, and dissension over strategy.

She went on to explain, Now only old women wear those coarse cotton saris, control cheeralu [cheeralu is the Telugu word for saris]. They are like gunnysacks. Poonams are modern. They are brightly colored and do not fade. But they cling to the body, and you need a separate underskirt and blouse to wear them. Still later she added, What else will we wear? We work in the field all day -- in the sun, in the rain. Poonams don't tear. They don't fade. They don't crumple. Dirt and mud just wash away. they dry easily.

an unlugged bicycle frame

A frigate of the modern type would knock a fort armed with obsolete guns into a cocked hat.