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

CHAPTEE VI.

pbogeess and peesent position.

Parsi qualities—The "bania"—Tlie commerce of Bombay—Extent of Parsi
enterprise—Parsi bankers — Cotton-mills—A large engine—Old Parsi
weavers—The construction of railways—Parsi share in them—Parsi ship-
wrights—The China trade—Jews v. Parsis—" The share mania"—Some of
the staple trades—Commercial morality of Parsis—Parsi officials—"The
salt of the Bombay community "—Parsi benevolence—Special cases—The
public works of Bombay—Female doctors—Hindu charity—Parsi mendi-
cants—Parsi loyalty—Prayers during Crimean War—Speech of Sir
Jamshedji Jijibhai—The Indian Mutiny—The Queen - Empress—The
royal family—The Prince of Wales—His serious illness—Prayer for his
recovery—Parsi thanksgiving day—The Prince of Wales in India—His
reception in Bombay—The national anthem—The Gujarati text—
Parsis well behaved—Parsi converts—A period of excitement—Dr.
Wilson—The present position of Parsis.

When strangers in India are reminded that the Parsis
of Bombay are the descendants of a small band
which emigrated from Persia under the most miser-
able circumstances, it is a matter of surprise to them
that they should hold at the present day in that
city a pre-eminent position among the natives.
The causes are not far to seek. Descended origin-
ally from an enterprising, courageous, industrious,
and self-sacrificing people, who at one time were
masters of a vast empire, they did not absolutely lose
those characteristic qualities of their race, although