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

CHAP. I11.] A DIVISION. 107

their new year; but no great importance at that time being attached to this circumstance, all went on as smoothly as before. However, in the year of Yazdezard 1114, or A.D. 1746, an Irani named Jamshid, together with a few “mobeds” or priests, introduced the date as observed by the Persian Zoroastrians and called themselves Kadmis. The bulk of the people, who became known as Shehenshais, stuck to their old date. However, as time went on, the adherents of Jamshid now and then gained a little accession to their number.

It will thus be seen that it was at Surat that the Parsis were first divided into two sects, and for some time the difference between them did not produce any bad feeling or untoward results. But eventually this harmony was disturbed by the appearance of a more bigoted leader in each party—Mancherji Kharshedji Seth among the Shehenshais, and Dhanjisha Manjisha among the Kadmis. They were both good men in their way, and commanded great influence at Surat, especially among their countrymen. Under their leadership this little storm in a teapot grew into a perfect tempest; hot discussions ensued, and much angry feeling was displayed on both sides. Dhanjisha Manjisha deputed, at his own expense, a learned priest of Broach, named Kavas Rustam Jalal’ (father of the

1 Mulla Kavas Rustam Jalal was born at Broach in the year 1733. After his return from Persia in 1780 he followed Dhanjisha to