DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22900#0282
CHAP. V.]
SHARP MEASURES.
235
tially dealt out even-handed justice to all, its acts
commanded the respect and obedience of the people.
But the Panchayet began very soon to decay from
the old cause, viz. the seats of the originally elected
months after the death of any male or female member thereof, and
when assembled to cry, and beat their breasts, and bemoan their loss.
They were also in the habit of keeping fast, and denying themselves
beds to lie upon, in order to indicate their excess in grief on such
occasions. This being forbidden by the Parsi religion, and found also
to be injurious in the extreme to the health of those who indulged in
such displays of their feelings, the late Panchayet most humanely
ordained that such practice should be cheeked as much as possible, and
that on the death of any infant the meeting of the women should be
as short as possible ; on that of children from one to seven years of
age, they should meet bid for three days; and on the death of any one
above that age, to meet ten days, and ten days only."
Mr. Manakji Kharshedji then goes on to state—
"It so happened that, shortly after the passing of the aforesaid
regulations, one of the sisters of Hormasji Bamanji Wadia (then
the most distinguished and influential gentleman among the Parsi
community, and one of the leading members of their Panchayet)
transgressed one of the said regulations by sending round dressed
dinners from her house to her relations.
" As soon as the information of this circumstance reached another
member of the late Panchayet, he directed his informer to seize upon
the pots and dishes containing such dinner, even if in the most con-
spicuous part of the town, which was accordingly done; and the pots
and dishes were sequestrated by the said member of the Panchayet,
who collected a number of indigent Parsis together in his church, where
they were allowed to feast upon the dainties seized as above mentioned.
"The said member of the Panchayet, after having thus acted, inti-
mated to the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia what he had done, which
Was nothing more nor less than his duty to the Panchayet; and he now
called upon his distinguished friend and colleague, the said Hormasji,
to do his also, by causing a general assembly, and making an example
of her who had thus disregarded the Panchayet's order, although so
intimately connected with him.
" And be it said, to the credit of the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia,
that, however exalted he was in rank among the Parsis, far from taking
SHARP MEASURES.
235
tially dealt out even-handed justice to all, its acts
commanded the respect and obedience of the people.
But the Panchayet began very soon to decay from
the old cause, viz. the seats of the originally elected
months after the death of any male or female member thereof, and
when assembled to cry, and beat their breasts, and bemoan their loss.
They were also in the habit of keeping fast, and denying themselves
beds to lie upon, in order to indicate their excess in grief on such
occasions. This being forbidden by the Parsi religion, and found also
to be injurious in the extreme to the health of those who indulged in
such displays of their feelings, the late Panchayet most humanely
ordained that such practice should be cheeked as much as possible, and
that on the death of any infant the meeting of the women should be
as short as possible ; on that of children from one to seven years of
age, they should meet bid for three days; and on the death of any one
above that age, to meet ten days, and ten days only."
Mr. Manakji Kharshedji then goes on to state—
"It so happened that, shortly after the passing of the aforesaid
regulations, one of the sisters of Hormasji Bamanji Wadia (then
the most distinguished and influential gentleman among the Parsi
community, and one of the leading members of their Panchayet)
transgressed one of the said regulations by sending round dressed
dinners from her house to her relations.
" As soon as the information of this circumstance reached another
member of the late Panchayet, he directed his informer to seize upon
the pots and dishes containing such dinner, even if in the most con-
spicuous part of the town, which was accordingly done; and the pots
and dishes were sequestrated by the said member of the Panchayet,
who collected a number of indigent Parsis together in his church, where
they were allowed to feast upon the dainties seized as above mentioned.
"The said member of the Panchayet, after having thus acted, inti-
mated to the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia what he had done, which
Was nothing more nor less than his duty to the Panchayet; and he now
called upon his distinguished friend and colleague, the said Hormasji,
to do his also, by causing a general assembly, and making an example
of her who had thus disregarded the Panchayet's order, although so
intimately connected with him.
" And be it said, to the credit of the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia,
that, however exalted he was in rank among the Parsis, far from taking