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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JULY, 1926
re-tying of the kusti, or sacred thread, which a Parsee had always to put on, on a sacred shirt, as symbols of his religion. The ablutions with the requisite ritual were required after calls of nature and before meals, which began with the recital of grace. A morsel was set apart for the sogs of the house or street, semi-sacred animals useful for various purposes. During the day, whenever one saw a thing of beauty, he had to thank and praise God for it. He was never to move about bare-headed or bare-footed. If he cut his hair during the day or pared his nails, he had to do so with a certain ritual. If he sneezed, he had to recite a short prayer. For his daily diet meat might be used as little as possible, and, for that purpose, not healthy but weak animals were to be killed. It was his duty to kill noxious creatures such as serpents, scorpions, mice, and the like. All kinds of scepticism in religious matters were to be avoided. When going out of the house on errands of business, a short formula of prayer was recited, the number of such recitals varying according to the importance of the business. A serious and solemn view of all daily actions had to be taken, and recitals of prayers for the blessing of God upon them were required, even including the act of cohabitation. The day ended with a recital of prayers.
The paper was discussed by Mr. Parkyn, Dr. Rushton Parker and Mr. Peake.
Session, 1925-26. The 1925-6 Session of the Indian Section opened on October 27th, 1925, with a paper by Mr. S. M. Edwardes, C.S.I., C.V.O., on The Population of Bombay City, Its Origin and Growth. Messrs. H.J. E. Peake, R. E. Enthoven, C.I.E., and Dr. E. H. Hunt, took part in the discussion.
Mr. Edwardes described how the history of Bombay City falls into five welldefined periods, each of which contributed certain distinct elements of population. During the first four periods Bombay consisted of seven separate islets, which were welded together during the fifth or English period. The prehistoric period contributed the fishing-population of Kolis and their aboriginal goddess, whose title has given the name Bombay to the City and Western Presidency. The second or Hindu period, which lasted till 1300, witnessed the arrival of the Parsis and Beni-Israel in Western India, as well as the mixed Muhammadan population, resulting from the union of Arab traders and refugees with Hindu women of the coast. The rule of the local Silâhåra chiefs was responsible for the immigration of various castes of Hindus, notably the Påthåre Prabhus and Panchkalshis, and probably also the Bhandaris, who cultivate and tap the liquor of the Cocoa-nut palm. During Muhammadan rule the famous shrine of the Saint at Mühim was established, while under the dominion of the Portuguese (1624.1661) the Bombay population was considerably reduced and dispersed by the proselytising tyranny of the Portuguese religious orders, their only contribution to the population being the Native Christian and Indo-Portuguese or “Topass " elements. The customs of some of these converts present an interesting study. The real growth of population commences with the arrival of the English in Bombay, and can be traced to certain definito political and domestic events, including the steady reclamation of the island from the sea, and the foundation of the local textile industry. In 1660 the population was said to be 10,000; to-day it numbers more than one million, including persons from all parts of India and Asia, Europe, Africa, and America.
The Sixth Meeting of the Indian Section was held in November 17th, when Dr. E. H. Hunt lectured on “Hyderabad Cairn Burials." Dr. C. G. Seligman and Messrs. A. M. Hocart, H. Balfour, H. J. Braunholtz, F. J. Richards, J. P. Mills and H. J. E. Peake joined in the discussion.
