History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

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CONTENTS.

The

ancient books—The wretched condition of Parsis in Persia—The poll-tax or ‘‘jazia”—Cruel exactions in order to raise it—The appeal to the Bombay Parsis—Called the Guebres—Made the victims of harsh laws —Cases of tyranny—Mahomedan slaying a Parsi—The reverse—Other offences—The Persian Zoroastrians retain their characteristics—Their love of truth and morality—Efforts of the Bombay Parsis in their behalf —Views of the author—‘‘ The Persian Zoroastrian Amelioration Fund” —Statement of its objects—Abolition of the “jazia ”—Pressure brought to bear on the Shah—Deputations and letters—Ultimate success—Those who obtained it—Other objects of the fund—A picturesque legendThe slaughtering of cows—A beneficent reform—The present condition of Persia. : : : ° : . Pages 53-90

CHAPTER III.

THE ZOROASTRIANS IN INDIA—-THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

numbers of the Parsis—Small proportion of population—Their divisions —Foreign colonies—Rumours about other settlements—Sir Alexander Burnes quoted—Observations based on the last census—Growth of population—Low mortality—High average of children—Great weight of children—Statistical comparisons—Parsi occupations—Their indifference to agriculture—Sir Richard Temple’s exhortation—A landable example—Not a single Parsi soldier—Reasons for this, and regret at it —Parsi volunteers—Parsis fond of active exercises—Desirability of some Parsis entering the army—The two sects of the Parsis—The Shehenshais and the Kadmis—The sole point at issue between them—A question of dates—The Kabisa—History of the dispute—Satisfactory conclusionDifferences of pronunciation—The Parsi dress—Changes in costumeParsi ladies and gentlemen—Children—Their mode of life—Partiality for jewellery—Improved residences—Parsi entertainments—Liberty of the women—Domestic felicity—The division of the Zoroastrian month —The auspiciousness of each day—List of these days—The great Parsi festivals . ‘ : : . , , . 91-152

CHAPTER IV.

THE ZOROASTRIANS IN INDIA—THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS (continued).

Parsi domestic life—Births and their attendant ceremonies-——Present-giving—

Seclusion enforced after confinement—Sanitary objections to this—Various improvements suggested by experience—Attempts to discover the child’s destiny—Mixture of good sense and superstition—‘‘ The book of fate is