Wealth of India in Early Years
November 03, 2007
Dear Nikhil and Neil:
I have recently found an interesting book known as “The Theogony of the Hindoos” by Count M. Bjornstjerna also author of “The British Empire in the East.” The Theogony was first published in 1844 in London and was translated from Swedish, which is the Count’s native language. It was fascinating reading.
In the introduction, he writes of the tremendous power and wealth of India, which attracted Alexander, The Great, of Greece, and, before him, Cyrus and Darrius to try and conquer the country. The “hitherto unrestrained conqueror Alexander” was pushed back by King Agrames with an unbelievable force consisting of 20,000 cavalry, 100,000 infantry, and 2,000 war chariots. Count Bjornstjerna comments on the strength of the Indian Kings, the great number of their forces, the multitude of their war chariots, the excellence of their arms and the strength of their fortresses “prove what India was even at that time.” Alexander then sent an Ambassador, named Megasthenes, to the King of the Prasians, which was in Bihar, the capital being Palibothra (now Patna). Megasthenes wrote back of “the high-degree of culture, which India had already obtained; that the land was full of large and rich cities, had a considerable amount of trade, and roads in all directions, with milestones and provided with inns for travelers.
India’s various kings had the only Armies in the world that had elephants and camels in their Armies. “The elephants were covered with gold and silver ornaments.” (As you know, my sons, when chess was invented initially, the “bishop” was called "camel.” The rook was in some parts of India “an elephant” and in other parts of India, a “fortress” and the horse represented the cavalry)
Strabo makes mentione of “the drinking vessels set with precious stones, and the people of rank clothe in gold brocade adorned with pearls.”
Page 2
In 1324, Ibn-Batuta, of Morocco went to the East, and returned 29 years later in 1353. At that time, the emperor of Delhi was Muhammed, who took a liking to Ibn-Batuta and dispatched Batuta with an embassy to the emperor of China. Batuta left in 1342 for China by way of ship with a group of 1,000 others and many presents to show “the splendor and opulence” of Delhi. The gifts consisted of 100 Arabian horses, richly bridled and saddled: 100 beautiful women, five dresses worked with jewels, 500 dresses of gold and silk, 1,000 other dresses, and a great number of vessels of gold, swords with jewels, etc. (Batuta’s account is in Arabic: It was translated into German by Kosegarten, into English by Professor Lee and into French in the Nouveau Journal Asiatique.
These various accounts drew the attention of the Europeans who had very little, compared to India, at that time. In the 16th century, Vasco-de-Gama discovered the passage of Cape of Good Hope and invaded Goa. The Portuguese penetrated into South India. The Jesuits and other missionaries rushed to India in the 16 and 17 century. Their narratives are written in “a very remarkable work entitled. 'Lettres edifiantes par les, missionnaires de la compagnie de Jesus.'
Much wealth, and valuable treasures, including secret books and culture, was taken out of India. All of this attracted the attention of the Spanish, French, and the English - and the rest is history that is well known to us after the Europeans came into India.
I know that you are aware of India as it is now - I thought you would like to read descriptions of its wealth and splendor a few 100 years ago. This was an interesting read and I will keep you informed as I read more.
With love, forever,
Dad.
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