Thread by @Aabhas24

1/n Let’s see in thread how people across ages have seen economic condition of India.

Let’s begin with François Bernier’s records in his work “Travels in the Mogul Empire.”

“There was no middle state. A man must be of the highest rank or live miserably.”

2/n Then he writes:

“Most towns in Hindustan are made up of earth, mud, and other wretched material; that there is no city or town (that) does not bear evident marks of approaching decay.”

3/n He goes on to add info of situation in Timurid (Moghul Empire):

“In eastern countries, the weak and the injured are without any refuge whatever; and the only law that decides all controversies is the cane and the caprice of a governor.”

4/n He laments about agriculture:
“The peasant cannot avoid asking himself this question: Why should I toil for a tyrant who may come tomorrow and lay his rapacious hands upon all I possess and value… without leaving me the means (even) to drag my own miserable existence?”

5/n François Bernier adds:

“The Timariots (Timurids), Governors and Revenue contractors, on their part reason in this manner: Why should the neglected state of this land create uneasiness in our minds, and why should we expend our own money and time to render it fruitful?

6/n We may be deprived of it in a single moment (...)Let us draw from the soil all the money we can, though the peasant should starve or abscond (...)”

7/n He then writes,

“The Timurids maintained a large army for the purpose of keeping people in subjection… No adequate idea can be conveyed of the sufferings of the people. The cudgel and the whip compel them to incessant labour (...)”

8/n He then talks about pathetic situation of Artisans:

“No artisan can be expected to give his mind to his calling in the midst of a people who are either wretchedly poor, or who, if rich, assume an appearance of poverty, and who regard not the beauty and excellence

9/n but the cheapness of an article; a people whose grandeess pay for a work of art considerably under its value and according to their own caprice (…) For it should not be inferred that the workman is held in esteem, or arrives at a stage of independence.

10/n Nothing but sheer necessity or blows from a cudgel keeps him employed; he never can become rich, and he feels it no trifling matter if he have the means of satisfying the cravings of hunger and of covering his body with the coarsest garment.

11/n If money be gained it does not in any measure go into his pocket, but only serves to increase the wealth of the merchant.”

And we are told #Timurids #Mughals gave us art & culture.

12/n François Bernier goes on to write:
“(…)grandees pay for a work of art considerably under its value, and according to their own caprice. (…)When an Omrah or Mansabdar requires the services of an artisan, he sends to the bazar for him, employing force, if necessary,

13/n to make the poor man work;& after the task is finished,the unfeeling lord pays, not according to the value-of the labour,but agreeably to his own standard of fair remuneration;the artisan having reason to congratulate himself if the Korrah hasn’t been given in part payment.”

14/n Please note that above accounts of François Bernier who was a French physician and traveller. He visited India during the Timurid (Moghul) Empire from 1656 to 1668 AD.

I’ll add more informations in this thread in sometime.