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

chap, v.] INTERNAL GOVERNMENT. 215

recognised leaders exercised some degree of control or
command over their brethren in the regulation of
these matters. After leaving Sanjan the Parsis settled
in different towns of Gujarat, and those who, by reason
of their wealth or knowledge, rose to a higher posi-
tion than their brethren doubtless exercised con-
siderable influence over their fellow-countrymen. In
the course of time the Hindu system of governing the
caste by a Panchayet, or an assembly of a certain
number of leading men, found favour and became
established in the Parsi community. We do not find,
however, any mention of a regularly organised Pan-
chayet until the commencement of the eighteenth
century, although it is almost certain that the Parsis
offered as a body, from the early years of their expa-
triation from Persia, complete submission to the head-
men of their community wherever they happened to
be located.

As might naturally be expected, owing to the
circumstances under which the Parsis left their native
country, the vicissitudes they had undergone, and the
way in which they had scattered themselves among a
people different in their manners, social life, and reli-
gion, without possessing any of the important books
of even their own religion, they had become less
informed about, and more ignorant of, the true tenets
and practices of their creed as time went on. When-
ever they required any information or enlightenment