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

110 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP, 111.

succeeded his father Mulla Kavas as chief priest, and another learned priest, Fardunji Marzbanji, who assisted him, were the two champions on behalf of the Kadmi sect, while the mass of the people, headed by a popular and influential member of the community, the late Kharshedji Manakji Shroff, and under the religious leadership of the pious, able, and learned chief “dastur” of the Shehenshais, Edalji Dorabji Sanjana,’ represented the other side and supported the date observed by themselves ever since their arrival in India. Meetings were held to which learned Moguls residing in the city and others who could throw any light on the subject were invited, and many animated discussions took place over it. Newspapers and pamphlets were published to represent the views of the respective parties. The English local journals were also filled with correspondence on the subject, and a good deal of violent writing was indulged in by both sides. When arguments failed abuse was freely resorted to, and the outside mob showed a tendency to resort to sticks in order to effect .a settlement of the question.

1 Dastur Edalji Dorabji Sanjana was the head priest of the Shehenshai community. He was greatly admired for his piety and learning, and highly esteemed and respected for his amiable qualities and superior attainments. In his day he was considered the most learned Zend and Pehleyi scholar among the Parsis of Western India. He was not only thoroughly versed in the ancient languages of Persia,

but was also well acquainted with Sanscrit. He was the author of several works on the Parsi religion.