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

102 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. III.

twenty-five years ago, the Parsis were allowed to join it, and several did so; but after a while the whole affair collapsed. When a fresh movement was made in the year 1877 it was confined to Europeans. Had it not been so the Parsis would have been very glad to join in the undertaking, there being no class of natives more eager to participate in the work of defending British interests than the Parsis. We are glad to note, also, that at some out-stations in India the Parsis have joined the volunteer ranks; and it is particularly gratifying to observe that quite recently the distinction of a commission of lieutenant in the volunteer corps at Quetta has been conferred on a respectable Parsi gentleman, Khan Saheb Dinsha Dosabhai Khambata of the Commissariat Department at that place.

One well-known Parsi gentleman, Mr. Dorabji Padamji, the son of Khan Bahadur Padamji Pestanji1 of Poona, has gained great celebrity as one of the best shots in India. For years past, in all the rifle matches, he has scored the highest figures, and even in competition with military men has carried off some of the first prizes.

1 Khan Bahadur Padamji Pestanji is the head of the Parsi community of Poona. During the mutinies his services as a mail contractor received the highest commendation of Government, and he was rewarded by the Government of India with the presentation of a gold medal and the title of Khan Bahadur. He was appointed by the Government of Sir Philip Wodehouse a member of the Bombay Legislative Council. He holds the rank of a first-class Sardar in the Deccan.