Lot No. 1: BERNIER, FRANCOIS

BERNIER, FRANCOIS

HISTOIRE DE LA DERNIERE REVOLUTION DES ETATS DU GRAND MOGOL

First Edition. Two Volumes in One

Language: Franch

Year: 1670

Size: 14.2 x 8.8 cm (5.5 x 3.4 inches)

Published by Chez Glaude Barbin., Small 8vo., Two Vols in One., PP 7+ 266 & 295.

The Histoire is part of a larger work, Travels in the Mughal Empire, in which Bernier recollects everything from statistics on the exploitation of poor Hindu peasants to gossip about the illicit affairs of royal family members. Not among the culturally sensitive, he retains his French skepticism throughout. His view of an influential poet: "I was for a long time disgusted with a celebrated Fakir...who paraded the streets of Delhi as naked as when he came into the world;" and a Princess's entourage: "If I had not regarded this display of magnificence with a sort of philosophical indifference, I should have been apt to be carried away by such flights of imagination as inspire most of the Indian poets, when they represent the elephants as conveying so many goddesses concealed from the vulgar gaze."

Aurangzeb would rule for fifty years and expand the empire to its greatest size while keeping it constantly at war and supporting massive political corruption. Bernier joins other historians in judging the emperor pious and learned, yet cold and intolerant. When as a young man Aurangzeb visited his mother's tomb, the recently completed Taj Mahal, he wrote home, "The dome leaked in two places."
In the home of Danishmand Khan, Bernier matched minds with Hindu and Muslim thinkers and shared what he knew of William Harvey's science and of French philosophy. He also provided crucial information to Jean-Baptiste Colbert, founder of the French East India Company, and became one of the first Europeans to offer a systematic racial classification of world populations.

In 1669, Bernier returned to Paris to publish his memories of India and write voluminously on a variety of subjects, among other things arousing controversy with a defense of Descartes. His Travels made waves throughout society and gained him friendships with Pierre Bayle, Ninon de Lenclos, and other literary lights. In 1675, John Dryden had a hit with the play Aurang-Zebe, based on the English translation.

BINDING: Contemporary Full Tree Calf Leather, Hard Cover, Title in Gilt on Spine, Gilt Decoration on Spine.

---

Provenance : Collection of a Gentleman

---

This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.

We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.