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

viii

CONTENTS.

ancient books—The wretched condition of Parsis in Persia—The poll-tax
or "jazia"—Cruel exactions in order to raise it—The appeal to the
Bombay Parsis—Called the Guebres—Made the victims of harsh laws
—Cases of tyranny—Mahomedan slaying a Parsi—The reverse—Other
offences—The Persian Zoroastrians retain their characteristics—Their
love of truth and morality—Efforts of the Bombay Parsis in their behalf
—Views of the author—"The Persian Zoroastrian Amelioration Fund"
—Statement of its objects—Abolition of the "jazia"—Pressure brought
to bear on the Shah—Deputations and letters—Ultimate success—Those
who obtained it—Other objects of the fund—A picturesque legend—
The slaughtering of cows—A beneficent reform—The present condition
of Persia . . . . . . Pages 53-90

CHAPTER III.

the zoroastrians in india-their manners

and customs.

The numbers of the Parsis—Small proportion of population—Their divisions
—Foreign colonies—Rumours about other settlements—Sir Alexander
Burnes quoted — Observations based on the last census—Growth of
population—Low mortality—High average of children—Great weight
of children—Statistical comparisons—Parsi occupations—Their indiffer-
ence to agriculture—Sir Richard Temple's exhortation—A laudable ex-
ample— Not a single Parsi soldier—Reasons for this, and regret at it
—Parsi volunteers—Parsis fond of active exercises—Desirability of some
Parsis entering the army—The two sects of the Parsis—The Shehenshais
and the Kadmis—The sole point at issue between them—A question of
dates—The Kabisa—History of the dispute—Satisfactory conclusion—
Differences of pronunciation—The Parsi dress—Changes in costume—
Parsi ladies and gentlemen—Children—Their mode of life—Partiality
for jewellery—Improved residences—Parsi entertainments—Liberty of
the women—Domestic felicity—The division of the Zoroastrian month
—The auspiciousness of each clay—List of these days—The great Parsi
festivals ........ 91-152

CHAPTER IV.
the zoroastrians in india—their manners

and customs {continued).

Parsi domestic life—Births and their attendant ceremonies—Present-giving—
Seclusion enforced after confinement—Sanitary objections to this—Various
improvements suggested by experience—Attempts to discover the child's
destiny—Mixture of good sense and superstition—"The book of fate is