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

230 FHIISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. Vv.

in store for him, and in expiation of the crime of bigamy itself he was ordered, after undergoing certain ceremonies, to appear before the Panchayet with a halter round his neck to solicit pardon for his transgression, to deliver up to his first wife all her jewels and property, and to deposit with the Panchayet a sum of two thousand rupees for her maintenance. It was only after complying with all these conditions that he was readmitted into the community.

The rigour and promptitude with which this first breach of the regulations of the Panchayet was punished inspired awe and terror among those who might otherwise have as readily committed the offence themselves, and followed the example of Jamshedji in taking a second wife during the lifetime of the first.

But while the Panchayet punished offenders against easte rules and social laws with firm impartiality, it earnestly desired at the same time to eradicate from the people’s minds the pernicious and superstitious customs which had taken root among them through their contact with the other races of India. Little by little practices which were regarded almost as outrages to the purity of their religion had crept into vogue among the Parsis ; and these the Panchayet considered itself bound to extirpate. Numerous meetings were held, and various decisions were arrived at for the wellbeing and general advantage

of the community. In 1819 it was brought to its