[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Histoire de la dernière révolution des États du Grand Mogol](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier) › [Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable) › 20 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 20: Answer to the first Inquiry concerning the Jews. Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 20 - **Language:** English ### [20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.20) I would be as much pleased as Monsieur Thevenot himself if Jews were found in these mountainous regions; I mean such Jews as he would no doubt desire to find — Jews descended from the tribes transported by Shalmaneser: but you may assure that gentleman that although there seems ground for believing that some of them were formerly settled in these countries, yet the whole population is at present either Gentile or Mahometan. In China, indeed, there are probably people of that nation, for I have lately seen letters in the hands of our reverend Father the Jesuit of Dehli, written by a German Jesuit from Pekin, wherein he states that he had conversed with Jews in that city, who adhered to the forms of Judaism and retained the books of the Old Testament. They were totally ignorant of the death of Jesus Christ and had expressed a wish to appoint the Jesuit their Kakan if he would abstain from swine's flesh. There are, however, many signs of Judaism to be found in this country. On entering the kingdom after crossing the Pir-penjale mountains, the inhabitants in the frontier villages struck me as resembling Jews. Their countenance and manner, and that indescribable peculiarity which enables a traveller to distinguish the inhabitants of different nations, all seemed to belong to that ancient people. You are not to ascribe what I say to mere fancy, the Jewish appearance of these villagers having been remarked by our Jesuit Father, and by several other Europeans, long before I visited Kachemire. A second sign is the prevalence of the name of Mousa, which means Moses, among the inhabitants of this city, notwithstanding they are all Mahometans. A third is the common tradition that Solomon visited this country, and that it was he who opened a passage for the waters by cutting the mountain of Baramoule. A fourth, the belief that Moses died in the city of Kachemire, and that his tomb is within a league of it. And a fifth may be found in the generally received opinion that the small and extremely ancient edifice seen on one of the high hills was built by Solomon ; and it is therefore called the Throne of Solomon to this day. You will see then, that I am not disposed to deny that Jews may have taken up their residence in Kachemire. The purity of their law, after a lapse of ages, may have been corrupted, until, having long degenerated into idolatry, they were induced, like many other pagans, to adopt the creed of Mahomet. It is certain that many Jews are settled in Persia, at Lar and Hyspan; and in Hindoustan, towards Goa and Cochin. I also learn that in Ethiopia, where they are very numerous, these people are remarkable for courage and military prowess; and if I am to believe two ambassadors from the Ethiopian King, lately at this court, there was a Jew, fifteen or sixteen years ago, grown so formidable, that he endeavoured to erect an independent kingdom in a certain small and mountainous district difficult of access. - [Previous: 19.6.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.19.6.9) - [Next: 21.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.21.1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.20) · Pramāṇa