[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) › 6.5.8 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 6.5.8 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 6.5.8 - **Language:** English ### [6.5.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.8) Possibly their ancient legislators saw the shepherds of Egypt in a similar manner pass the river Nile, holding with the left hand the tail of a buffalo or ox, and carrying in the right a stick for the guidance of the animal ; or this superior regard for the cow may more probably be owing to her extraordinary usefulness, as being the animal which supplies them with milk and butter (a considerable part of their aliment), and which may be considered the source of husbandry, consequently the preserver of life itself. It ought likewise to be observed that owing to the great deficiency of pasture land in the Indies it is impossible to maintain large numbers of cattle ; the whole therefore would soon disappear if animal food were eaten in anything like the proportion in which it is consumed in France and England, and the country would thus remain uncultivated. The heat is so intense, and the ground so parched, during eight months of the year, that the beasts of the field, ready to die of hunger, feed on every kind of filth like so many swine. It was on account of the scarcity of cattle that Jehan-Guyre, at the request of the Brahmens, issued an edict to forbid the killing of beasts of pasture for a certain number of years ; and not long since they presented a similar petition to Aureng-Zebe, offering to him a considerable sum of money to ensure his compliance. - [Previous: 6.5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.7) - [Next: 6.5.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.9) - [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.6.5.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.6.5.8) · Pramāṇa