A History of Agriculture in India v2.c61.s7: Account of Bengal by Mahaun, a Chinese
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c61.s7
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Account of Bengal by Mahaun, a Chinese
v2.c61.s7.1
Mahaun, a Chinaman, visited Bengal in A.D. 1406. He was attached as an interpreter to the suite of Cheng Ho, sent by the Chinese Emperor Yung-lo with a party of 30,000 soldiers in a fleet of 62 ships to the various kingdoms of the Western Ocean in order to show that China was rich and strong. Mahaun describes the language of the people as Bengāli and states that Persian also was spoken in Bengal. He states that 'not having any tea they offer their guests the betel-nut in its place.' He further records: 'The mulberry tree and silk worms are found there. Silk handkerchiefs and caps embroidered with gold, painted ware, basins, cups, steel, gurs, knives and scissors are all to be had there. They manufacture a white paper from the bark of a tree, which is smooth and glossy like a deer's skin.' People were Muhammadans with dark skin—some light-complexioned persons were also seen. They had shaved heads and white turbans, long loose robe with a broad coloured handkerchief tied round the waist. Their manufactures are: fine cotton fabrics of many varieties—six varieties described—silk industry and handkerchiefs. They have abundance of rice, wheat, sesamum, all kinds of pulses, millet, ginger, mustard, onions, hemp, squash, brinjals, and many kinds of vegetables. Their fruits are plantains, jack fruits, mangoes, and pomegranates. Sugarcane, white sugar, granulated sugar, various candied and preserved fruits are also common. Betel-nut was offered to the guests. Their amusements are : feasts and entertainments, music and dance, conjurers and display of a man fighting with a tiger given in the streets. The character of the people was that they were open and straightforward in their dealings.'⁴
v2.c61.s7.2
⁴ Gode, P. K. *Studies in Indian Cultural History*, Vol. III, pp. 61, 62