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

CHAP, I] THE FLORA FOUNTAIN. 145

of rice to be given gratuitously to the poor of the provinee, and also distributed about Rs.90,000 among poor families in Gujarat. He has also built a “dharmshala” near the railway-station at Surat at a cost of Rs.25,000. He contributed Rs.55,000 to the Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai Zend and Pehlevi Madressa; also Rs.30,000 for founding scholarships in the same college.

Besides the munificent acts of liberality mentioned, Mr. Kharshedji Fardunji maintained several charitable dispensaries in Bombay and other towns of the Presidency during the days of his prosperity. The Fardunji Sorabji Parakh Industrial School at Surat was founded by him in memory of his father. Towards the establishment of this institution he gave the sum of Rs.50,000.

The elegant and beautiful Flora Fountain in Bombay is another gift of Mr. Kharshedji’s munificence. It was constructed by the Esplanade Fee Fund Committee at a cost of Rs.40,000, one-third of which sum was contributed by Mr. Kharshedji himself.

As a slight recognition of Mr. Kharshedji’s liberality in the days of his prosperity, Sir Philip Wodehouse appointed him Sheriff of Bombay in the year 1877. With him we may bring our sketch of the distinguished Parsis of Bombay to an end.

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