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

170 HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS. [chap. iv.

mean his marriage. With him it is an event of the
greatest rejoicing in which all the families interested
partake. The one hope of a Parsi father and mother
is to see their sons and daughters suitably married
and settled during their lifetime; and when that
object is about to be attained rejoicings take place
for days, and in some instances for weeks even,
before the nuptials.

According to the law of Zoroaster, a boy or girl
ought not to be married before the age of fifteen, and
this rule must have been observed by the ancient
Persians ; but among a number of customs which the
Parsis in India adopted from the Hindus must unfortu-
nately be included that of early marriages. Hindus
are most strictly enjoined by their shastras to have
their girls married before they have attained the age
of nine years, on failure whereof great shame attaches
to their parents. This idea of shame appears to have
been to some extent participated in by the Parsis,
and hence the early marriage of their daughters until
recent times. There were other causes also which
greatly contributed to create an anxiety among them
as to the early marriage of their children. As wed-
dings are legitimate occasions for rejoicings and
festivities, most of the wealthy were glad of the
opportunities they afforded for the display of their
wealth in giving dinners and «a£c/i-parties on an
extensive scale to their relatives, neighbours, friends,