Charles Gilman wrote on Mon, Jan 19, 2004 05:45 AM EST:
Rukh is Persian for chariot. See
http://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/rook.html for full details
of the Rook's names, many of which still mean chariot, and
http://www.chessvariants.com/piececlopedia.dir/alfil.html for full details
of the piece most widely known by names meaning Elephant. Chariots,
elephants, cavalry, and infantry (the last two are the modern Knight and
Pawn) made up the 'fourfold army' that was Chaturanga's literal
meaning.