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

33°

HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS.

[CHAP. VI.

writes :—" Examining education according to faith or
class, .we find that education is most extended amongst
the Parsi people; female education is more diffused
amongst the Parsi population than any other class."
And again, analysing the returns of education of the
general population, he writes :—" Contrasting these
results with education at an early age amongst Parsis,
we find 12-2 per cent Parsi male and 8-84 per cent
female children, under six years of age, under instruc-
tion ; between six and fifteen the number of Parsi
male and female children under instruction is much
larger than in any other class. Over fifteen years of
age the smallest proportion of illiterate, either male or
female, is found in the Parsi population." This is
a tribute to the enlightened spirit of our race—to
the enlightened views of the scattered fragments
which, after many vicissitudes and heroic struggles,
have become united and acquired cohesion under the
beneficent influence of civilisation.

In connection with the subject of education it
would be a distinct omission to pass over the share of
the Parsis in the newspaper press. In no other pur-
suit are they more conspicuous. The first newspaper
in Gujarati, the Bombay Samachar, was started
by a Parsi, Mr. Fardunji Marzbanji, the father of
the present enterprising proprietors of the Daftar
Ashkara press, the Rast Go/tar newspaper, and other
periodicals.