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

242

HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS. [chap. v.

considerable sum of nearly twenty-two lakhs of
rupees. This fact alone speaks highly for the chari-
table disposition of the Parsis, as well as for the
judicious management of the trustees who, it may be
said to their credit, have performed in a satisfactory
manner the functions of the old Panchayet so far as
the management of the religious and charitable pro-
perty is concerned.

The present trustees are the Honourable Sir Jam-
shedji Jijibhai, Bart., C.S.I, (the recognised leader of
the Parsi community), Messrs. Hirjibhai Hormasji
Sethna, Dinsha Manakji Petit, Kharshedji Fardunji
Parakh, and Framji Nasarvanji Patel. They are
assisted by an able and energetic secretary, Mr.
Nasarvanji Beramji. The funds under their manage-
ment are devoted to religious, charitable, and benevo-
lent purposes and objects, such as supporting poor
and disabled Parsis in Bombay, Surat, Navsari,
Broach, Udvada, and other towns and villages in
the Bombay Presidency; giving religious and moral
education to the children of poor Parsis at the above-
named places ; maintaining a college or " madressa "
for teaching the Zend and Pehlevi languages to the
sons of Parsi priests and laymen; carrying the remains
of Parsis to the towers of silence in Bombay and other
places; and such other various purposes and objects
relating to the Parsi community generally in Bombay
and the Mofussil as may appear commendable.