Les Indiens à Suse

Abstract

From the complete analysis of Hallock's "Q: Travel Rations", discovered in Persepolis and dated from Darius' reign, we can demonstrate that the inhabitants of the eastern regions, particularly the Indians, used to enjoy a greater regard than the western people from the Achaemenid King. The tablets indeed bear witness that no Indian worker has ever been used from the Achemenians. Moreover, the tablets attest a larger number of Indian caravans used to reach Susa in comparison with other foreign caravans. It seems that these caravans used to carry important delegations of Indian nobles bringing precious presents in order to pay homage to the Great King. The ground of this behaviour may be investigated in the common origins of Persians and Indians and, furthermore, we should not forget that India was the major tributary of gold.