[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 # Halat-i Asad Beg 6: Introduction of Tobacco. Wikáya, of Asad Beg (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 6 - **Language:** English ### Introduction of Tobacco. ### [6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.1) In Bijapur I had found some tobacco. Never having seen the like in India, I brought some with me, and prepared a handsome pipe of jewel work. The stem, the finest to be procured at Achin, was three cubits in length, beautifully dried and coloured, both ends being adorned with jewels and enamel. I happened to come across a very handsome mouthpiece of Yaman cornelian, oval-shaped, which I set to the stem ; the whole was very handsome. There was also a golden burner for lighting it, as a proper accompaniment. ’Adil Khan had given me a betel bag, of very superior workmanship; this I filled with fine tobacco, such, that if one leaf be lit, the whole will continue burning. I arranged all elegantly on a silver tray. I had a silver tube made to keep the stem in, and that too was covered with purple velvet. His Majesty was enjoying himself, after receiving my presents, and asking me how I had collected so many strange things in so short a time, when his eye fell upon the tray with the pipe and its appurtenances ; he expressed great surprise, and examined the tobacco, which was made up in pipefuls; he inquired what it was, and where I had got it. The Nawab Khan-i ’Azam replied: “This is tobacco, which is well known in Mecca and Medina, and this doctor has brought it as a medicine for Your Majesty.” His Majesty looked at it, and ordered me to prepare and take him a pipeful. He began to smoke it, when his physician approached and forbade his doing so. ### [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? ### [6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.3) Things must be judged of according to their good or bad qualities, and the decision must be according to the facts of the case.” The physician replied, “We do not want to follow the Europeans, and adopt a custom, which is not sanctioned by our own wise men, without trial.” I said, “It is a strange thing, for every custom in the world has been new at one time or other; from the days of Adam till now, they have gradually been invented. When a new thing is introduced among a people, and becomes well known in the world, every one adopts it; wise men and physicians should determine according to the good or bad qualities of a thing; the good qualities may not appear at once. Thus the China root, not known anciently, has been newly discovered, and is useful in many diseases.’’ When the Emperor heard me dispute and reason with the physician, he was astonished, and being much pleased, gave me his blessing, and then said to Khan-i ’Azam, “Did you hear how wisely Asad spoke? Truly, we must not reject a thing that has been adopted by the wise men of other nations merely because we cannot find it in our books ; or how shall we progress?” The physician was going to say more, when His Majesty stopped him and called for the priest. The priest ascribed many good qualities to it, but no one could persuade the physician ; nevertheless, he was a good physician. ### [6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6.4) As I had brought a large supply of tobacco and pipes, I sent some to several of the nobles, while others sent to ask for some ; indeed, all, without exception, wanted some, and the practice was introduced. After that the merchants began to sell it, so the custom of smoking spread rapidly. His Majesty, however, did not adopt it. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.halat-i-asad-beg~en-elliot.6) · Pramāṇa