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

228 AISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. V.

The judicious and vigorous proceedings of this Panchayet, which insisted upon implicit obedience to the rules and regulations duly accepted by the community, were for some years attended with most salutary results. Its decisions were respected and admired, because strict justice was administered to all without fear, favour, or distinction between the rich and the poor. The following is an instance of the manner in which the law was executed by the Panchayet in the case of an erring Parsi, who defiantly committed bigamy a few days after the passing of the new caste rules. The delinquent, Jamshedji Beramji Laskari, had recently returned to Bombay from Calcutta with a large fortune, and it may also be explained that he was related to one of the members of the newly-elected Panchayet. Relying on his wealth and connections, he boldly violated the rules of his caste and married a second wife while the first was still alive, The Panchayet thereupon summoned a meeting of the whole “anjuman” or community, which resulted not only in the excommunication of Jamshedji and his newly-married wife, but in his father being compelled to expel him from the paternal home on pain of being himself excommunicated. When Jamshedji saw the Panchayet was determined to make an example of him, he was so annoyed and irritated that he assaulted the priest to whom the duty had been delegated of proclaiming his