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

68 HISTORY OF THE. PARSTS. [ CHAP. II.

invariably given against the “unbeliever,’” whether he be in the right or the wrong.

The sanctuary of the fire-temples and towers of silence belonging to the Parsis is often invaded, and any appeal to the authorities is usually unheeded, if not altogether treated with contempt. Rare instances have, however, occurred when justice has been done to the aggrieved party, but even then it has served as a pretext for some further mischief on the part of the Mahomedans. An event of this character happened a few years ago. A Parsi of Kerman, having suffered an injury at the hands of a Mahomedan priest, appealed to the Shah at Teheran, and the “mulla” was immediately summoned before the court, and ordered to give the amplest satisfaction for the wrong he had done. The Mahomedan, though forced at the time to comply with the mandate of authority, eagerly watched for an opportunity to take his revenge upon the other. In Persia all laws remain in abeyance on the death of a monarch till a successor has been placed on the throne. During this interregnum people are not answerable for their crimes, and no notice can be legally taken of their conduct. The “mulla,” therefore, thought that such a period would afford an excellent opportunity for satisfying his revenge, and on the death of the Shah he stirred up the Mahomedan mob to kill every unbeliever in

Kerman, as a work enjoined upon them by the holy