Indian Conjuring

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27353

Title

Indian Conjuring

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Major L. H. Branson exposes the mechanics behind Indian street magic, debunking myths of mysticism to reveal simple sleight-of-hand and props. With wit and skepticism, he compares Eastern and Western conjurers, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at classic illusions like the rope trick and dancing duck.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Indian Conjuring," Major L. H. Branson, a British officer and magician, dedicates his volume to demystifying the reputation of Indian street performers, or "Jadoo-wallahs." Branson argues that while Western magicians have advanced through education and complex illusions, Indian performers rely on primitive methods, outdated tricks, and audience superstition. He systematically dissects popular street performances to reveal their secrets, contrasting the artistic integrity of Western conjurors with the poverty-driven, repetitive nature of Indian performers who often use loud music and begging to distract audiences. Branson details several specific illusions to expose their mechanics. He explains the "cut and restored" rope trick, which relies on discarding a short piece of string rather than magical restoration. He reveals the "egg bag" illusion is achieved through a double-sided pocket that hides the egg when the bag is turned inside out. The "dancing duck" is powered by a hidden horsehair attached to a drum, and the infamous "mango tree" myth is debunked as a trick performed indoors or involving mud props, never outdoors as described in folklore. He also exposes the "snake and crocodile" trick, which uses a concealed bag suspended between the performer's legs. The book addresses the legendary "Indian Rope Trick," offering a substantial reward for anyone who can prove it exists, concluding it is an impossible myth. Branson further tackles the belief in sympathetic magic, such as harming a person via an effigy, citing a case where a girl's sores were caused by rubbing her face with areca nuts rather than sorcery. Throughout the text, Branson admits that magic originated in the East but maintains that modern European conjurors excel in skill and invention. The work serves as both an instructional guide for beginners and a humorous, critical commentary on the psychology of belief and the enduring fascination with the supernatural.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27353.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg27353.epub

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Categories

• Magic
• Entertainment