History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. VI.] SURAT RELIEF FUND. Zyl

small numbers in comparison with the Hindus and Mahomedans, the total amount subscribed by them is usually in excess of that contributed by the two combined. Whatever may have been the case up to the middle of this century, it cannot now be said that the Hindus and the Mahomedans of the present day are not rich, because wealth is pouring into their hands in a greater degree than into those of the Parsis, but the latter still occupy their place in the first rank among the citizens of Bombay in the exercise of munificence and charity, in witness of which we may cite the case of the Surat Relief Fund, which was raised for the relief of the sufferers from the inundation in 1883.

While we write thus, we are far from wishing to depreciate in any way our Hindu and Mahomedan countrymen, among whom many benevolent and generous men may be found. ‘They will themselves, however, admit that the great name which Bombay bears for generosity and benevolence is owing chiefly to the Parsis. Then, again, the character of Parsi charity, not neglecting the special interests of its own community, has always been catholic, while, with the solitary exceptions of Mr. Premchand Raichand and the late Mr. Gokaldas Tejpal, benevolent Hindu and Mahomedan gentlemen have restricted their charities to objects specially benefiting their own respective races.