A covered or decorated chair or bed used as a carriage that is carried by multiple people on their shoulders, historically used in Asia and India.
From Sanskrit 'palyanka' (bed/couch), borrowed into European languages through Portuguese and Dutch traders in the 17th century. It traveled the same trade routes as the objects themselves.
Palanquins were the ultimate status symbol in India and Southeast Asia for centuries—being carried by four or more people showed your wealth and importance, and some emperors had absurdly ornate ones!
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