François Bernier (1620–1688) was a French philosopher, physician and traveler who lived in India for almost 9 years (1659–1667). Occupying the position of a doctor at the court of the ruler of India, the Great Mogul Auranzeb, he had the opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with the social order and way of life of this country. First published in 1670–1671. In the Paris book, he paints a picture of the war for power that unfolded during the illness of the former Great Mogul, Shah Jahan, between his four sons and ended with the victory of Aurangzeb. But most importantly, F. Bernier in his book for the first time showed the radical, qualitative difference between the social system not only of India, but also of other countries of the East, where he also visited (Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Arabia, Persia) from the social orders that existed in Europe and in ancient times, and in the Middle Ages, and in modern times. Thus, he actually discovered an antagonistic mode of production other than the ancient (slave), feudal and capitalist modes of production, which later received the name “Asian”, and thereby identified a new, fourth main type of class society - “Asian” or "eastern" society. The appearance of F. Bernier's book marked the beginning of a discussion in historical and philosophical science of the problem of the “Asian” mode of production and “Eastern” society, which has not ended to this day. A detailed overview of this discussion is given in the introductory article to this edition of this outstanding book. This edition of F. Bernier's work, unlike the first Russian edition of 1936, is complete. The missing sections were first translated into Russian by Yu. A. Muravyov. The book is published under the editorship, with a new introductory article and notes by Yu. I. Semenov.

Contents: Yu. I. Semenov. About the new Russian edition of the book by F. Bernier. I. Semenov. Francois Bernier and the problem of the “Asian” (politaristic) mode of productionHistory of the last political upheavals in the state of the Great MogulKingTo the readerHistory of the last political upheavals in the state of the Great MogulSpecial events, or a story about what happened significantly within five or six years after the war in the state of the Great MogulLetter to ColbertLetter Mr. de la Mot Le Vaysh. The Mr. Saplenisimolismom Mr. Shapellusat, Mr. de Merweille, Publimoi, writing a written letter of a letter of writing a letter of resigned letter [answers to the questions of Mr. M. Tevyo] The answer to the first question - about the Jewishness to the second question - about mussa to the third question - about the regularity of sea currents and the direction of the winds in India. The answer to the fourth question - about the fertility, wealth and beauty of the Kingdom of Bengal. The answer to the fifth question - about the periodic floods of the Nile. Memorandum