I ease off reversing boat on Ganges (6)

I believe the answer is:

puteli

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'boat on ganges' is the definition.
'puteli' can be an answer for 'boat' (I have seen 'Indian boat' mean 'puteli' so perhaps 'boat' could also mean 'puteli'). I am not certain of the 'on ganges' bit.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for puteli that I've seen before include "Ganges boat" , "Indian boat" , "Flat-bottomed boat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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