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

CHAP. V.| A NEW PANCHA VET. 223

In conformity with the recommendation of the committee, the Governor in Council directed the Panchayet to return the names of twenty-four persons, from whom twelve could be selected as a committee for the management of the affairs of the Parsis and the settlement of their private disputes. It was hoped that a committee thus appointed would be the best means of putting a stop to further discussion and dissension among the Parsis. The heads of the Parsi community responded to the call from Government, and out of the twenty-four names submitted twelve’ were selected, six of them being priests and six laymen. On the Ist of January 1787 these gentlemen were appointed to form a Panchayet for the purpose of adjudicating on all social and religious matters concerning the Parsis, and were emphatically enjoined ‘to do strict justice to all parties without fear, favour, or affection to any one.” The decisions of a body thus expressly appointed by Government carried great influence and weight with the Parsis, and its decisions on all matters affecting them were generally respected and implicitly obeyed. During the lifetime of the members of this properly and authoritatively constituted Panchayet all went

1 The twelve appointed were Jamshed Boga Modi, Nanabhai Beramji, Manakji1 Naorozji Wadia, Dadabhai Nasarvanji, Hirji Jivanji, Sorabji Mancherji, Shapurji Bamanji, Dastur Kavasji Rastamji, Sorabji Nanabhai Seth, Dorabji Framji, Kavasji Bhikhaji, and Dorabji Fardunji.