Indian Antiquary Vol 33

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 72

68
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(FEBRUARY, 1904.
the "smoking water" themselves, nor would
carried out by the late Ardesheer Moos and they allow me to touch it.
Nanabhai Ranina, and the assemblage of ladies
in their multi-coloured dresses and dazzling 5.- Social Reform.
ornaments was so splendid and magnificent that Most unenviable was the lot of Parsi women the circus proprietor, new to such sights, exfifty years ago. They could not freely walk forth claimed, "Ah! if I could get up such a spectacle in the street. They could not appear in public. in London, my fortune is made !" Not that If they went out in a rekld, all the curtains were women were then too ignorant to appreciate down, that bola bad eyes might not look at them. the happiness of freedom. In my early days, I remember that the community was deeply I have often heard women, even old ones, say, scandalized when the late Ardesheer Hormasjee on beholding Europeans of both sexes driving Wadia began to drive out in an open carriage together in open carriages, "Alas, that it should with his wife.
not be our lot to be as happy as they are !! Those were days when boots and stockings
7. -Early Mixed Gatherings. were not worn by women. Many a bitter con- Many more years elapred before mixed gathertroversy has raged round the vexed question of rings became common among the Parsis. The shoe-leather. The first wearers of boots and first notable gathering of Parsi ladies and stockings were malignantly reviled and abused. gentlemen was witnessed on the occasion of the Nay, in the good old days of country shoes, it festivities attending the birth of the late Prince required no little courage on the part even for Albert Victor. An entertainment to the school men to change them for English boot, nor was it children of the town was given on the Esplanade, considered proper to wear socks with country when a number of respectable Parsis appeared shoes. I remember that some gentlemen began with their wives and walked arm-in-arm with wearing socks on the plea of ill-health, beforo them. The sight created quite a sensation. The they ventured to adopt them as a regular part of movement in this behalf was led by the late their dress. Now that English boots and stock Maneokjee Oursetjee, a sturdy old veteran in the ings are so common among both sexes of the cause of social reform. He was among the very Parsi community, it seems quite a far off age
first of those who freely went about with their when the wearing of them provoked such rancour wives and daughters arrayed in boots and stockand resentment.
ings, and he manfully braved the vile scandals 6.- Freedom for Parsi Women.
and objurgations to which he was subjected for
years by the foolish majority of his community. It was not without a tough and prolonged
Theatrical performances were ordinarily held struggle that rational freedom was obtained for
for men only. When a special performance was Parsi women. Places of amusement were abso.
advertised for families, it was carefully stipulated lutely forbidden to them. When at last it was
beforehand that no men unaccompanied by their thought that it would be no crime to let them
female relatives would be allowed admission. As see a play or a circns, the performances were held exclabively for women. I remember one of
the promoter of theatrical companies in former
days, I myself framed some strict rules in this such performances given by Romanini's Cirous
bebalf. forty-five years ago, when the male members of every family waited outside the tent till it was
MUHAMMADAN WORSHIP OF FIRE, over at midnight. Not a few of them were wealthy Shethi&s, who complaisantly loafed about DR. (now SIR DISTRICH) BRANDRE, when at or enjoyed a comfortable doze in their carriages, Gorakhpur 30 or 40 years ago, visited certain awaiting the return of the ladies of their Miyân Sabib who kept a fire going as a religious household. And what precautions and sale duty -- apparently a quasi worship of fire. He guards were then considered necessary, even in owned a sdl forest and this supplied fuel for bis the case of such rigidly exclusive gatheringe, at fire. He was a most interesting man and obarmed MacCallum's Circus forty years ago. The his visitor: A man of liberal and loyal spirit, for tickets were sold by means of a private circular be protected Cbristians in the Mutiny, and he confined to families of known respectability, and subscribed to the schools attached to the local the names of intending visitors were recorded in Mission, of which the Rev. Mr. Stern was the a special liat in order that no persons of doubtful head. The memory of such a man should be prerepute might smuggle in. An the preliminaries served. I wonder if it still lives in Gorakhpur. in connection with MacOallum's Cirous were !
W. COLDBTRKAN.