DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22900#0091
CHAP. I.]
THE VARIA V TRAGED Y.
49
Eana of Sanjan, Lad migrated to other cities of
Gujarat.
The emigrants, wherever they located themselves,
pursued the quiet and peaceful art of husbandry.
Bnt their national energy and courage never seem
to have forsaken them, in proof of which an affair
at Variav may be cited. A small Parsi colony had
settled at that place, which is situated at some dis-
tance from Surat. It was at the time under the rule
of the Eaja of Ratanpur, a Rajput chief. This chief
attempted to exact an extraordinary tribute from
the Parsis, but the latter, refusing to submit to the
extortion, opposed and defeated the troops sent to
enforce the demand.
Unable to avenge themselves openly, the soldiers
of the raja sought an opportunity of surprising those
who had defeated them in the field, and a marriage
festival, to which all the Parsis in the place had been
invited, was chosen as affording the most favourable
occasion for gratifying their cowardly revenge. Un-
conscious of what was impending, the Parsis were
surprised in the midst of their festivities, and, to-
gether with the women and children, were ruthlessly
massacred by these ruffians. The anniversary of this
cruel outrage perpetrated upon the Parsis at Variav
is still observed at Surat, and religious ceremonies
are performed in honour of those who fell on that
disastrous occasion.
VOL. I. E
THE VARIA V TRAGED Y.
49
Eana of Sanjan, Lad migrated to other cities of
Gujarat.
The emigrants, wherever they located themselves,
pursued the quiet and peaceful art of husbandry.
Bnt their national energy and courage never seem
to have forsaken them, in proof of which an affair
at Variav may be cited. A small Parsi colony had
settled at that place, which is situated at some dis-
tance from Surat. It was at the time under the rule
of the Eaja of Ratanpur, a Rajput chief. This chief
attempted to exact an extraordinary tribute from
the Parsis, but the latter, refusing to submit to the
extortion, opposed and defeated the troops sent to
enforce the demand.
Unable to avenge themselves openly, the soldiers
of the raja sought an opportunity of surprising those
who had defeated them in the field, and a marriage
festival, to which all the Parsis in the place had been
invited, was chosen as affording the most favourable
occasion for gratifying their cowardly revenge. Un-
conscious of what was impending, the Parsis were
surprised in the midst of their festivities, and, to-
gether with the women and children, were ruthlessly
massacred by these ruffians. The anniversary of this
cruel outrage perpetrated upon the Parsis at Variav
is still observed at Surat, and religious ceremonies
are performed in honour of those who fell on that
disastrous occasion.
VOL. I. E