[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) › [Les six voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier) › [Travels in India (Ball)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball) › 145.1 # Travels in India (Tavernier) 145.1 Travels in India (Ball) 145.1 - **Language:** English ### [145.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.145.1) The King of Siam is one of the wealthiest monarchs in the East, and he calls himself in his edicts King of heaven and earth, although he is a tributary to the Kings of China. He shows himself but rarely to his subjects, and only gives audience to the principal persons of his court, strangers having no admission to his palace. He confides the government to his ministers, who very often make ill use of the authority with which they are invested. He only shows himself in public twice in the year ; this he does with much splendour. The first time is in order to go in state to a pagoda which is in the town, the tower of which is gilt throughout, both inside and outside. It contains three idols, which are from 6 to 7 feet high, and are made of massive gold ; and by means of liberal alms to the poor, and presents to the priests of these false gods, he believes that he makes himself pleasing to them. He goes there accompanied by all his court, and displays all his richest possessions. Among other indications of magnificence there are 200 elephants in Siam, one of them being white ; and it is so highly esteemed by the King that he glories in calling himself “the King of the white elephant.” These elephants live for several centuries, as I have elsewhere remarked. - [Previous: 144](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.144) - [Next: 145.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.145.2) - [Up: 145](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.145) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.145.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.145.1) · Pramāṇa