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

CHAPTEE 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
Barnes 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 indif-
ference to agriculture—Sir Richard Temple's exhortation—A laudable
example—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—Satis-
factory 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 en-
tertainments—Liberty of the women—Domestic felicity—The division of
the Zoroastrian month—The auspiciousness of each day—List of these
days—The great Parsi festivals.

The numerical strengtli of the Parsis in India,
according to the census taken by order of the
Government of India on the night of the 17th of
February 1881, was 85,397,—a number which must
be considered extremely insignificant in proportion
to the whole population of India, being no more
than one Parsi to every 2,973 persons. The total
population of India amounted to 253,891,821. By