Karaka, Dosabhai Framji: History of the Parsis: including their manners, customs, religion and present position ; in two volumes (Band 1) (London, 1884)

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE I.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The Parsi community—Their proud traditions—The early history of Persia
—The heroic dynasties—Zoroaster—Cyrus the Great—Cambyses—Darius
—Xerxes—The Sassanian dynasty—The wars of Persia and the Roman
Empire—The Emperors Valerian and Julian—The glorious reign of Kao-
shirvan—Origin of name of Parsi—The rise of Mahomodan aggression—
The first invasion of Persia—The battle of Marwaha—Repulse of the
Arabs—Persian success neutralised by dissension—Yazdezard—Receives
an Arab deputation at Ctesiphon—The commands of the prophet—An
unfortunate gift—"The soil of Persia is ours !"—The battle of Kadesia
—The decisive battle of Nahavand—Sir John Malcolm's account of it—
The fate of Yazdezard—Changes effected by Mahomedan conquest—Only
a few Persians hold out—Their places of refuge—Khorassan—The island
of Ormus—The Parsis sail for India—Early intercourse with India—
The Parsis arrive first at Diu—Leave Dm for Gujarat—Nearly meet with
shipwreck—Reach Sanjan—Their own account of their religion—Their
acquaintance with Hindu customs—The sixteen "schloks"—They adopt
the Oujarati language—Parsi settlements in other parts of India—Re-
ferred to by early travellers—Attempt at 'wholesale conversion—Howr
the Parsis baffled the Portuguese—They abandon Thana—A warlike
incident—The Mahomedan invasion of Gujarat—The tragedy of Yariav
—The Parsis settle in Bombay—Induced to do so by English

Pages 1-52

CHAPTEE II.

THE ZOROASTRIANS IN PERSIA.

The Zoroastrians in Persia—The misfortunes of that state—Majority of people
adopt Mahomedanism—The Zoroastrian colonies—The Ghilji Afghans—
Their invasion of Persia—The part taken by the Zoroastrians—Their
treatment by Nadir Shah and his successors—They gradually lose their