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

18 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. I.

the English factory at Surat, and his descendants, it is only right to also notice prominently the name of Mancherji Seth, who was broker to the Dutch factory at the same place.

Mancherji Seth was born at Surat in the year 1715. He was of humble origin, having been in the service of Manakji Naorozji Seth of Bombay. In his latter days he was largely engaged in commerce, and conducted an extensive business as broker to the Dutch factory at Surat. He possessed great influence with the nawab of the city, which he invariably employed for its good and for that of its inhabitants. His fame reached Delhi, which city he visited twice. He was more than once admitted to audience by the emperor. He built a large “dharmshala” at Surat for the benefit of his co-religionists, and handed it over to the trustees of his community. He contributed most towards the building of an exceptionally large tower of silence with four hundred and seventy-six ‘ pavis” or receptacles, and built one at his own entire expense for the use of the Parsis of Nargol. He founded many charitable institutions, and built a number of wells in and around Surat, and was altogether a very liberal and charitable man. In fact, he bestowed blessings on all connected with the city by his liberality. His name is therefore still held in the highest respect in Surat. Mancherji Seth was the head of the Shehenshais in the “ Kabisa” controversy