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

cHAP.1] AN HONOURABLE ACQUITTAL. 35

principal ‘sadar amin, which I do with the full assurance that you continue, by your zeal and fidelity, to maintain the high rank you have obtained for yourself in every department of the public service in which you have been employed.”

The honours accorded to Ardeshir at this darbar, and the numerous congratulations he received in token of the public gratification at his acquittal and reinstatement, were minutely recorded in the newspapers of the time, and an extract from one of them will form an appropriate close ‘to our sketch of this Parsi celebrity of modern times :—

“The late principal ‘sadar amin’ was escorted from his own residence to the ‘adawlut’ or chief court-house by the collectors’ and judges’ body-guard and by a throng of ‘chobdars’ and leading citizens of all classes, he himself being gorgeously attired in the robes of honour conferred on him by Sir John Malcolm, and riding in palanquin with girded sword, also the gift of the same governor, and his breast adorned with the gold medal commemorating his valour. A guard of honour consisting of a detachment of the 19th N.I, with band and colours, awaited his arrival at the court-house, on reaching which he was ushered into the presence of a brilliant assembly, which was adorned by the presence of the leading inhabitants, native and European, of the Baxi and the Nawab of Surat, of the Raja of Dharampor, and other visitors of rank and distinction. After the Government resolution, exonerating him from all suspicion of misconduct and restoring him to his rank and honours, had been read out and translated, a congratulatory address from the whole of the residents, bearing many thousand signatures, was presented to Ardeshir, amidst vociferous shouts of triumph and rejoicing. When the darbar broke up, the assembly accompanied him in procession to his residence, its ranks being swelled by the enthusiastic crowd which awaited without. A body of mounted police went in front, succeeded by a miscellaneous throng of musicians, who played with the zeal and energy characteristic of