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

CHAPTER II.

DISTINGUISHED PARSIS OF BOMBAY.

First Parsis in Bombay—The Portuguese rule—Cession to England—Kharshedji Pochaji Panday—The old fortifications—Dorabji NanabhaiThe early revenue of Bombay—Rastamji Dorabji—His heroic characterGreat service to the English—The title of Patel—A romantic episodeKavasji Rastamji—Parsi passes—Hirjibhai Rastamji—Banaji LimjiThe first Parsi traders with the far East—The first Parsi merchant in Burmah—In Caleutta—The Modi family—Contractors to the Company —Importers—Agents and bankers—‘‘The honest shopkeeper ?—The Readymoney family—Trading with China—Its profitable characterSorabji Readymoney—Grants of land to Parsis—The Kama family—The Wadia family—Parsi shipbuilders—The first dockyard at Bombay—The master-builders of the East India Company—A family of skilful shipwrights—Sir Thomas Trowbridge on Parsi-built men-of-war—Sir Edward Pellew’s opinion—The Salsette—The Minden—The master-builder of the present day—The benevolence of the Wadia family—The first Parsi High Sheriff of Bombay—The memorial fountains of the city—Parsi agents to France—Letters from French Government—The Dadiseth family—Their good work—Jamshedji Jijibhai—His birth—His first journey to China —His later journeys—Captured by a French yessel—His letter describing his adventures—His return to Bombay—His success and charity—The monuments of his generosity—The first Parsi knight—Addresses on the auspicious occasion—Further honours—Freedom of London—His cosmopolitan charity—Baron Hausmann’s letter—His statue—Lord Elphinstone’s speech—Lady Jamshedji—The Mahim causeway—The opening ceremony—Created a baronet—His descendants—Framji Kavasji Banaji —His good service—His agricultural taste—Official report on the subject —First present of mangoes to the Queen—The Bombay Times—Now the Limes of India—The Caleutta Parsis—The Vikaji family—Their extensive operations—Their connection with the Nizam—Relations with Chandu Lal—Their bankruptey—Salar Jung indemnifies them—Kharshedji Manakji Shroff—Family jars—Jijibhai Dadabhai — Manakji Nasarvanji Petit—Dinsha Manakji Petit—Dinsha’s benevolence—Nasarvanji Manakji Petit—Mervanji Framji Panday—The Kolaba sanitarium