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

226 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. v.

Panchayet, and they resolved by every means in their power to arrest its progress among their countrymen. A public meeting of the Parsi inhabitants of Bombay was therefore convened, as already stated, and rules strictly prohibiting bigamy were adopted by the unanimous decision of the assembly. As these rules are not only interesting in themselves but afford an insight into the special cases under which a person was then allowed to take a second wife while the first was alive, we give a literal translation of them :—

“Further, we, the whole Panchayet now assembled, have this day resolved that from and after this day no person who has a wife living shall marry another ; and if any person feel compelled to marry another wife, he shall put his case in writing, and represent the same to the above members of the Panchayet; after which the said members will fix a certain time, as they shall think proper, for the investigation of the case and the hearing of the petition of the complainant, which shall be admitted by the complainant and by all the people; and those who will not admit such decision shall be punished as mentioned below by the Panchayet, as to them shall appear fit.

“Further, a person requiring divorce with his first wife, and then permission to marry a second, shall represent his case to the Panchayet, as above stated ; and the Panchayet shall meet and inquire into the merits of the case thus brought to their notice ; and in case the bad conduct of the first wife be proved according to the usages of our religion, the Panchayet shall take securities from him for her alimony (food, clothing, and lodging) and her jewels, and for funeral expenses on her death, as the Panchayet shall deem proper, and then they shall give him permission to take another wife.

“Further, any person having a trifling dispute with his wife shall not be allowed to marry another. In case he shall marry