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

330 . HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. VI.

writes :—‘‘ Examining education according to faith or class, we find that education is most extended amongst the Parsi people ; female education is more diffused amongst the Parsi population than any other class.” And again, analysing the returns of education of the general population, he writes :—“ Contrasting these results with education at an early age amongst Parsis, we find 12:2 per cent Parsi male and 8°84 per cent female children, under six years of age, under instruction; between six and fifteen the number of Parsi male and female children under instruction is much larger than in any other class. Over fifteen years of age the smallest proportion of illiterate, either male or female, is found in the Parsi population.” This is a tribute to the enlightened spirit of our race—to the enlightened views of the scattered fragments which, after many vicissitudes and heroic struggles, have become united and acquired cohesion under the beneficent influence of civilisation.

In connection with the subject of education it would be a distinct omission to pass over the share of the Parsis in the newspaper press. In no other pursuit are they more conspicuous. The first newspaper in Gujarati, the Bombay Samachar, was started by a Parsi, Mr. Fardunji Marzbanji, the father of the present enterprising proprietors of the Daftar Ashkara press, the Rast Goftar newspaper, and other

periodicals.