An Analysis of the Occurrences in the Mughal Empire as Observed by Francois Bernier

This paper critically analyses a few observations documented by Francois Bernier, French traveller and physician, during his stay in the Mughal Empire of Aurangzeb's (1656-1707 A.D.) time in the seventeenth century. Bernier has endeavoured to elucidate upon almost every aspect of the Mughal Empire viz. political developments, wealth of the emperors, economic conditions of the general populace, living conditions in Agra, Delhi etc, customs, traditions, beliefs of the subjects and so on. No doubt the author provides first hand interesting information on seventeenth century Mughal Empire, but at times his comparative analysis of the West and East clearly reflects his propensity of superior feeling towards West, and also the idea of otherness, the other being India.