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

268 AISTORYV OF THE PARSTS. [cHap. v.

In their draft Act the Parsi Law Association had inserted provisions legalising the validity of infant marriages and betrothals among Parsis, and prescribing criminal penalties in respect of the violation of duties and obligations Supposed to arise out of these marriages and betrothals.

These provisions naturally did not meet with the approval of the European members of the Commission, who regarded the practice of infant marriages and betrothals (a practice plainly derived from the Hindus, and not in any way sanctioned by Zoroastrian Scripture or ancient usage) as very much opposed to the true progress of the Parsi community in civilisation and morality. They did not, therefore, recommend the enactment by the Indian Legislature of any laws that had a tendency directly or indirectly to sanction a practice they were agreed in regarding as - Injurious. The European members of the Commission further observed that they had good reason to believe that the alterations they had suggested in that respect would be favourably received by a large and highly influential minority among the Parsi community, and the author of this work can bear testimony, as a Parsi, to the correctness of the view expressed by the European members of the Commission. Had any legal sanction been given to such customs, by imposing criminal penalties, the Parsis would have been prevented from making the advance which they