But, alas! Now she does not deserve this proud title. Were Aurungzebe to come to life again he would witness this country in quite a different state from what it once was. To-day her industries, arts, and professions are ruined and lost to her and now she is in a degraded condition.

Bernier mentions the manufactures of Mogul India as ‘carpets, brocades, embroideries, gold and silver cloths, and the various sorts of silk and cotton goods, which are used in the conntry, or exported abroad.’ He further says, “There are ingenious men in every part of India. Numerous are the instances of handsome pieces of workmanship made by persons destitute of tools, and who can scarcely be said to have received instructions from a master.” Again he says, “I have often admired the beauty, softness, and delicacy of their paintings and miniatures, and was particularly struck with the exploits of Akbar, painted on a shield by a celebrated artist, who is said to have been seven years in completing the picture. I thought it a wonderful performance.”

“The imperial workshops, the towns of Lahor, Agra, Fatehpūr Ahmedabad, Gujarat, turn out many master-pieces of workmanship; and the figures and patterns, knots, and variety of fashions which now prevail astonish experienced travellers.”

Ain-i-Akbari.

“Painters, seal-engravers and other handicraftsmen are countless. They inlay mother-o’-pearl with great skill and make beautiful boxes and inkstands. Stuffs worked with gold thread and of the kinds Chirah, Fotah, Jamahwar, Khara, and velvets and brocades are here skilfully manufactured. Imitations of stuffs from Turkey, Europe, and Persia are also produced. They make likewise excellent swords and daggers of the kinds Jamdhar and Khapwah, and bows and arrows. There is a brisk trade in jewelry and silver is imported from Turkey and Irak.”

Ain-i-Akbari.

“Through the favour of H. M. (Akbar), all products of art, and the manufacture of woolen and silken carpets and of brocades were extensively encouraged.”

Ain-i-Akbari.

1704. LETTER LXIV.