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

CHAPTER IL.

THE ZOROASTRIANS IN PERSIA.

The Zoroastrians in Persia—The misfortunes of that state—Majority of people adopt Mahomedanism—The Zoroastrian colonies—The Ghilji AfghansTheir invasion of Persia—The part taken by the Zoroastrians—Their iveatment by Nadir Shah and his sucecessors—They gradually lose their ancient books—The wretched condition of Parsis in Persia—The poll-tax or “jazia”—Cruel exactions in order to raise it—The appeal to the Bombay Parsis—Called the Guebres—Made the victims of harsh laws—Cases of tyranny—Mahomedan slaying a Parsi—The reverse—Other offencesThe Persian Zoroastrians retain their characteristics —Their love of truth and morality—Efforts of the Bombay Parsis in their behalf—Views of the author—‘‘The Persian Zoroastrian Amelioration Fund ”’—Statement of its objects—Abolition of the “jazia’”—Pressure brought to bear on the Shah—Deputations and letters—Ultimate success—T hose who obtained it—Other objects of the fund—A picturesque legend—The slaughtering of cows—A beneficent reform—The present condition of Persia.

Ay inquiry into the present state of those who profess the religion of Zoroaster would manifestly be incomplete if it did not embrace those members of the race who have held fast to their faith in the mother-country even after its conquest by the Moslem. ‘The effect of Mahomedan rule, wherever established, is too well known to need any lengthened description. Within a hundred years of the time when the followers of the Arabian Prophet first set foot on Persian soil, the condition of the country had entirely