Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c4.s2.t1.7

c4.s2.t1.7

² In the preface to his book the author tells us that whenever he met a party of Indian oversea visitors, he used to put to each one of them separately specific questions on which he sought information. Then from their answers, he took down only those points on which there was unanimous agreement. After abstaining from talking to them on those questions for a time, sufficiently long for them to have forgotten their remarks, he used to repeat his original questions. And if their replies again agreed with their earlier versions, only then, he transcribed the information which is given in his work. It is needless to add that his informants were, in most cases, men of learning and position who usually spoke of things at first hand.—Compare Notices etc. 165-166.