“Madras musings - I”

I refer to Zarin Mistry’s article "Madras musings - I” (Parsiana, September 7, 2010).

According to Parsee Prakash, Vol I, page 116: "Jamshedji Kukaji Majaina first went to Madras in 1785 AC. From Madras he traded with China, Ceylon and Calcutta for seven years. He died at Calcutta on March 10, 1810.” He was the first Parsi to come to Madras.

"Seth Cowasji Rustomji Khushibhau was agent of Seth Pestonji Banaji Wadia at Madras in 1783 (Parsee Prakash, Vol I, page 133).”

"Khurshedji Merwanji Behra, a famous merchant of Madras died at Madras on August 6, 1820 at age 40 (Parsee Prakash, Vol I, page 150).”

The German battleship Emden fired a cannon at Fort St George during World War I and not during World War II as mentioned in Mistry’s article. A part of that shell is exhibited in the Fort St George Museum there.

During World War II, Royapuram was classified as a danger zone and people were evacuated from Madras city. Mobed Peshotan T. Daji stayed on alone and looked after the fire temple. For this, he was given the F. B. Taraporewalla Memorial Award [Source: Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-meher Souvenir (1910 to 1990)].

On page 881 of Parsee Prakash, Vol I is a letter dated January 18, 1878 from the Municipal Commissioner to Edulji Dinshaw Panday regarding burial ground for interment of Parsis at Madras.

Many interesting details of the Parsi community’s history are recorded in Parsee Prakash compiled by Bomanji Behramji Patel as a labor of love. Moreover, he has compiled a subject-wise and name-wise index which is very useful. Unfortunately, most Parsis today are not familiar with the Gujarati language, and not aware of these chronicles of our history.

MARZBAN GIARA

marzbang@gmail.com