[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) › 6.5.3 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 6.5.3 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 6.5.3 - **Language:** English ### [6.5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.3) I regret that I cannot bear my testimony to the truth of all that people report of these conjurers. My Agah sent for one of these famous soothsayers, and promised to give him three hundred roupies (about an hundred and fifty crowns) if on the following day he would tell him, as he said he could do, what might then be passing in his mind, which he would previously write down in his presence to prevent any suspicion of unfair dealing on his own part. I engaged at the same time to present him with five-and-twenty roupies if he mentioned my thoughts; but the prophet did not again approach our house. On another occasion I was also disappointed in my expectation of the company of one of these egg-hatchers, to whom I had promised twenty roupies. Notwithstanding my diligence to pry into everything, I have never been so fortunate as to witness any marvellous performance; and whenever I happened to be present when a deed was done which excited the surprise of the spectators, it was generally my misfortune to examine and to question until I ascertained that the cause lay in some cheat or sleight of hand. I recollect detecting the gross deception of a fellow who pretended to find out, by the rolling of a cup, the person who had stolen my Agah's money. But there are Fakires of a much more comely appearance than those whom we have been considering, and their lives and devotion seem less extravagant. - [Previous: 6.5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.2) - [Next: 6.5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.4) - [Up: 6.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.3) · Pramāṇa