Karaka, Dosabhai Framji: History of the Parsis: including their manners, customs, religion and present position ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1884)

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HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [chap. ii.

fire, flood, and storm have always been characterised by
the greatest liberality. He has been one of the chief
supporters of the funds for the relief of the poor
Zoroastrians of Persia and the Persians in Bombay.
He has given nearly a lakh of rupees to the funds of
the Parsi Panchayet for the benefit of the poor of
the community. We have not gone into details;
it is enough for us to indicate the various purposes
to which Mr. Dinsha's charities have been directed.

But his private charities, which are extensive,
cannot be known. He maintains many poor and
struggling families by giving them pensions. He
has extricated many deserving persons from anxieties
and troubles by discharging their debts. He has
relieved the minds of many parents by defraying the
marriage expenses of their daughters, and has spared
the feelings of many poor families by defraying the
funeral expenses of their deceased members. The one
great merit of Mr. Dinsha's charities is their unostenta-
tiousness, and this quality, as well as the charming
simplicity of his character, has secured for him the
golden opinions of his countrymen.

Mr. Nasarvanji Manakji Petit has also given large
sums in charity. He has, to say nothing of his other
gifts, given Ks.50,000 to the Parsi Panchayet for the
benefit and maintenance of the poor of his community.
He has built a fire-temple in Bombay at a cost of
Bs.26,500, given Rs.55,700 towards the maintenance