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

122 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. II.

called after his father’s name. The other contributors to this good work were his brother Kharshedji Kavasji Banaji and his nephew Dadabhai Rastamji Banaji.

Framji had two brothers, Rastamji Kavasji and Kharshedji Kavasji, who were both men of mark. With that enterprising spirit which has always distinguished the Parsis, Rastamji Kavasji went to Calcutta to settle with his family. There he succeeded in establishing an extensive business as a merchant and shipowner, and through his activity and enterprise was well known throughout the East. The failure of the Union Bank, of which he was one of the largest shareholders, and which was an unlimited company, brought undeserved ruin upon him, and in his misfortune he had the sympathy of every man in Bengal where his benevolent and hospitable character was generally recognised. On his death, which took place in the year 1852, one of the leading Calcutta papers said that “during his prosperity he sought European society, and, breaking through the restraints usual among his countrymen, did not hesitate to introduce the ladies of his family to his guests, among whom the Governor-General of India has more than once been present. Rastamji was extremely liberal while he had the means, and there must be many yet living who have felt his kindness when it was of the utmost value to them.” The Friend of India, then