[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) › 3.1.6 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.1.6 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 3.1.6 - **Language:** English ### [3.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1.6) It was my design to collect such useful particulars concerning their country as they might be able to supply, but I found them ignorant beyond all conception. They were unacquainted even with the boundaries of Usbec, and could give no information respecting the Tartars who a few years ago subjugated China. In short, I could elicit by my conversation with the ambassadors scarcely one new fact. Once I was desirous of dining with them, and as they were persons of very little ceremony, I did not find it difficult to be admitted at their table. The meal appeared to me very strange; it consisted only of horse-flesh. I contrived, however, to dine. There was a ragoût which I thought eatable, and I should have considered myself guilty of a breach of good manners if I had not praised a dish so pleasing to their palate. Not a word was uttered during dinner; my elegant hosts were fully employed in cramming their mouths with as much pelau as they could contain; for with the use of spoons these people are unacquainted. But when their stomachs were sated with the dainty repast, they recovered their speech, and would fain have persuaded me that the Usbecs surpass all other men in bodily strength, and that no nation equals them in the dexterous management of the bow. This observation was no sooner made than they called for bows and arrows, which were of a much larger size than those of Hindoustan, and offered to lay a wager that they would pierce an ox or a horse through and through. - [Previous: 3.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1.5) - [Next: 3.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1.7) - [Up: 3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.1.6) · Pramāṇa