The retinue of a grandee in China or Indostan accordingly…
“The retinue of a grandee in China or Indostan accordingly is, by all accounts, much more numerous and splendid than that of the richest subjects of Europe.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Smith notes that Chinese and Indian aristocratic courts were far larger and more lavish than European noble households.
In simple terms: Eastern courts were more numerous and splendid than European ones.
Key Takeaway
Recognize cultural differences in status displays.
Themes
culture
comparison
status
wealth
court
eliteness
Mood
analytical
curious
critical
Type
historical
comparative
When to use this quote
- anthropology
- comparative history
- political economy
- travel writing
- museum curation
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
material culture
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we assess wealth across cultures?
- What biases affect our judgments of grandeur?
A Different Perspective
European courts were smaller, but this does not imply lesser sophistication.