THREE TRAVELLERS TO INDIA
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Date
1978
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AL - BIRUNI
Abstract
Description
Every one loves a traveller's narrative. If he
tells it in person, the fascination of his personality
adds to the interest of his tale. His hearers Jove
to gather round him, and eagerly listen to his
adventures. They are carried to scenes which they
have not witnessed, and enabled to share in the
thrill of exploits which they have not performed.
If the traveller is known to them, his own history
helps to interpret his story. His voice, his gestures,
his temperament-all help to enhance the artistic
effect of what he has to tell. If he exaggerates a
little, the knowing ones smile and forgive him.
But the more ignotant and credulous remember and
applaud him chiefly for his exaggerations.
If there is a mystery about the personality of
the traveller, the narrative throws side-lights qn
what he is, whence he came, how and why he
travelled, and what stores of hidden lore he keeps
in reserve. Curiosity is always a strong factor in
men's search of knowledge, and there is nothing
like a mystery or a half-mystery to stir the imagination
and stimulate the desire to read out of
the narrative into the mind of the narrator.
Travellers of by-gone ages have an additional
claim to our attention. Distance in time has its
charm like distance in place. We love to bear of
our country as they saw it.
Keywords
A. YUSUF ALI, THREE TRAVELLERS TO INDIA