[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) › 3.7.3 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.7.3 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 3.7.3 - **Language:** English ### [3.7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7.3) Such are the witticisms so much vaunted by the Persians in the Indies, and which they seem never tired of repeating. For my part, I think a dignified gravity and respectful demeanour would better become an ambassador than the assumption of a supercilious and unbending carriage, or the indulgence of a taunting and sarcastic spirit. Even if he possessed no higher principle to regulate his conduct, it is surprising that Chah-Abas's ambassador was not constrained by common considerations of prudence; and how much he had to fear from the resentment of a despot, whom he foolishly and unnecessarily provoked, was seen by the danger he narrowly escaped. Chah-Jehan's malignity grew so violent and undisguised that he addressed him only in the most opprobrious terms, and gave secret orders that when the ambassador entered a long and narrow street in the fortress, leading to the Hall of Assembly, an elephant must, and in a very dangerous state, should be let loose upon him. A less active and courageous man must have been killed; but the Persian was so nimble in jumping out of his paleky, and, together with his attendants, so prompt and dexterous in shooting arrows into the elephant's trunk, that the animal was scared away. It was at the time of the return of the Persian ambassadors that Aureng-Zebe accorded that memorable reception to his quondam teacher Mullah Salé. It is an uncommonly good story. - [Previous: 3.7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7.2) - [Next: 3.7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7.4) - [Up: 3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.7.3) · Pramāṇa