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

CHAP, It] THE SIDIS OF JANJIRA. 51

British Empire, and which has become a highway between Europe and India and a ereat emporium of trade, was prevented from being lost to it by the loyalty and courage of a Parsi. Like the valiant Ardeshir who fought for his raja against the aggressions of the Mahomedans, Rastamji Dorabji Patel fought for the English Government against the Sidis of Janjira.

In the year 1692 a severe plague broke out in Bombay, when most of the Europeans of the place and the soldiers in the garrison fell victims to the disease. Taking advantage of this unfortunate circumstance, the Sidis of Janjira, who were then a powerful and independent people, organised bands of pirates along the Malabar coast, and invaded Bombay with a large force. They took possession of the island and Dungry Fort (now called Fort George). The few Englishmen who had survived the plague were so exhausted as to be quite unable to drive the Sidis away.

But Rastamji Dorabji, who had in his veins the blood of the ancient warlike Persians, undertook to repel the enemy. He raised a militia from among the fishermen of the population, fought the invaders, and defeated them. He then despatched messengers with the news of the victory to the chief of the English factory at Surat, who soon after arrived in Bombay and took charge of the Government. For these invaluable services Rastamji Dorabji was honoured with the hereditary title of Patel (lord or chief) of Bom-