Indian Antiquary Vol 56

SR No.: 032548
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 286
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
| JANUARY, 1927
fraternity to their Zoroastrian compatriots and the i The grants published in this book are not indeed, Parsis of India. The Indian Zoroastrians have in their present form, of unquestioned authenticity, been separated from the old country for centuries, but even if spurious, there are dozens of others but have never ceased casting a longing loving which are genuine. They unquestionably bear glance at the homeland of their origin and religion. witness to the spirit of tolerance of the early Islamic Intermittently they carried on correspondence with conquerors. It was not until the Mongols came into their co-religionists in Yezd and Korman. Persia power that the extermination of Zoroastrians in to-day subordinating every consideration to that commenced, when the great instrument of oppresof consolidation of the Iranian fraternity."
sion was the jasiya or poll-tax. But even this was On there considerations Mr. Pestonji Dosabhoy not oppressivo in its inception, bocause it was a Marker is planning to create a literature suitable tax in return for exemption from military service, to the requirements of young Iran, and this Literary and thus in theory protected those subject to it Series is part of his scheme, of which one consti- from the designs of others than the rulers. It tuent is to build up in young Zoroastrians was the extortionate manner in which it was exacted desire for honest history. In pursuit of such by the officials who raised it that turned it into history Mr. Nariman enquires into the causes of an instrument of torture and practical annihilation. the decadence of the Zoroastrians, and his enquiry With the decadence of the Zoroastrians their brings him to remarkable conclusions. It is literature largely disappeared, and as to this Mr. not due to the action of the Arabs on their conquest Nariman makes a remarkablo statement : "the of Persia, the decadence in fact dating from the destruction of the Zoroastrian literature is due in days of Afghan ascendancy at a much later date. part to the Turks, more to the Afghans, and It is really due to the rending of the community most to neglect and sacerdotal arrogance which by "mutual discussions and ruinous jealousies," madu & monopoly of the relations between God and & view, which when put forward by a Parsi and man." Here we are provided with something to published in a serious Parsi educational "series," think over. cannot but be arresting.
Now, however, says our author, "a new period Mr. Nariman backs this up by stating that under
of hope has dawned on united Iran," and in the many local governors after the Arab conquest
Persis of to-day "the patriotic son of the soil is "free practice of religion was, accorded " in quite
Irani first and Moslem, Christian, Jew or Zoroastrian a number of treaties. The very book under review
in the second place." Mr. Nariman winds up his indeed " contains two charters reported to have been remarks by an examination of the legal aspect of granted by the founder of Islam and his great-son
the Zoroastrians in Islam, about which he has fo-law, the pious fourth Khalifa, to the Zoroastrians equally arresting and interesting things to say, in which religious tolerance is partionlarly
One cannot help looking forward to further publica. emphasised." Mr. Nariman says there are many
tions in this series. others conceived in the same spirit.
R. C. TEMPLE.
AL
NOTES AND QUERIES. INSCRIPTIONS WANTED.
stone in the Collector's garden in Thana was Can anybody tell me where the inscribed Copper- brought from Vaghcli (one mile west of Sopera, Plates and Stones mentioned below can be seen 1 B.B. & C.). Ry.). This stone was three feet
eight inches long, one foot one inch hroad, and Copper-Plates.
seven inches thick. The Inscription contained (1) Copper-Platos fastened together by a ring in fourteen lines. two parcels of three each, found in 1788, while
B. F. GHARDA. digging foundations in Thana Fort. They record a grant by the Silahara Chief Arikeshari;
ENGLISH TOMBSTONES IN THANA. (2) About 1830, two Copper-Plates were found while digging & grave in Thana (whose grave ?) "In the Churchyard, Thana, are the tombs of and sent by Mr. Baille to the Hon : Mr. Elphin John Vaughan, dated 1780; of Charles Driffield. stone. They are dated A.D. 1272 and 1290, and dated 1784; of Stephen Babington, dated 1822 : record grants by Konken Viceroys of the ninth
kan Vicerove of the ninth of John Malsey (died 1785); and of George Page Dovgiri Yadav, Ramchandra Doo (1271-1308) (died 18th Nov. 1794)." whom Ala-ud-din Khilji defeated.
Can any reader kindly let me know who these Stones.
persons were ? And what services they rendered (8) Land-Grant Stones were found about 13K. 1. in Thane or in India ? by Mr. Murphy, in Satrette. One inscribed
B. F. GHARDA,