[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Akbar (1556–1605)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar) › [Ḥālāt-i Asad Bēg](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg) › [Wikaya, of Asad Beg (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot) › 6.2 # Halat-i Asad Beg 6.2 Wikáya, of Asad Beg (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 6.2 - **Language:** English ### [6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.2) But His Majesty was graciously pleased to say he must smoke a little to gratify me, and taking the mouthpiece into his sacred mouth, drew two or three breaths. The physician was in great trouble, and would not let him do more. He took the pipe from his mouth, and bid the Khan-i ’Azam try it, who took two or three puffs. He then sent for his druggist, and asked what were its peculiar qualities. He replied that there was no mention of it in his books; but that it was a new invention, and the stems were imported from China, and the European doctors had written much in its praise. The first physician said, “In fact, this is an untried medicine, about which the doctors have written nothing. How can we describe to Your Majesty the qualities of such unknown things? It is not fitting that Your Majesty should try it.” I said to the first physician, “The Europeans are not so foolish as not to know all about it; there are wise men among them who seldom err or commit mistakes. How can you, before you have tried a thing and found out all its qualities, pass a judgment on it that can be depended on by the physicians, kings, great men, and nobles? - [Previous: 6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.1) - [Next: 6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.3) - [Up: 6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.2) · Pramāṇa