Dosabhai Framji Karaka

HISTORY OF THE PARSIS, VOL 2

Essays on thelr sacred anguage
Writings and Religion
Martin Haug

This is the most detailed and authentic study
on the Parsis, their sacred languages and
writings, called Zoroastrian studies, and
their Religion. The author has done a
comendable job in making it a richly
documented work, which successfully
projects the magnificent panorama of the
cultural and religious richness of the Parsis
and their writings and literature.

The book is divided into different chapters,
giving details of the History of the Researches
into the Sacred Writings and
Religion of the Parsis; Greek, Roman,
Armenian, Mohammedan and European
Researches; Zoroastrian studies, languages
of the Parsi Scriptures; languages of Avesta
Pahlavi and Pazand; and the Pahlavi
literature; the Zend-Avesta or the script
of the Parsis- The Nasks, Yasna, Gathas, the
later Yasna, Visparad, Yashta, shorter texts,
and brief survey of Avesta literature. The last
chapter is a detailed study of the Zoroastrian
Religion and its relationship with
Brahmanical doctrines. The book also has
detailed Appendixes which gives
translations from Avesta, Pahlavi and Parsi
ceremonies.… (plus d'informations)

HISTORY OF THE PARSIS, VOL 1

...the Parsis have earned their reputation
not so much by the manner in which they
have accumulated fortunes as by the way
in which they have dispensed the stores
with which Providence has blessed
D.F. Karaka

The book remains the single most authentic
presentation of the History of the
Parsis. The author, a Parsi gentleman
provides a thorough understanding of not
only the true history of this great race but
also its rituals, beliefs, customes and
ceremonies.

In this lucid and entertaining book
Karaka offers both a lively introduction to
the origin of the Parsis, and a graphic
account of their way of life. The book
provides most comprehensive details of not
only the Parsi system of Education, Parsi
Laws and Internal government and their
Philosophy, but also their Religion through
details pertaining to their prayer rituals,
ceremonies related to Birth and Marriage,
The religious books, moral teachings,
Sacred fire and fire-temples. The Chapter
on the domestic life of Parsis is a
fascinating account.

The value of the book is significantly
enhanced by tracing the history of
prominent Parsi Families of Gujrat and
Bombay, including their immense
contribution to the country. The book also
includes some rare pictures and colour
illutrations. The Appendices at the end of
Volume two shall be found most useful by
the readers.

The encyclopaedic range of material in
the book sets out the reason for the Parsis
to be commonly considered as one of the
great peoples, with continuous racial,
cultural and historical traditions from the
ancient times to the modern day.

INTRODUCTION.

IN placing before the great English reading public
this history of my own race and people I feel that
I shall not have to apologise for having,selected a
subject in which they feel no interest. The name
of Parsi is known not merely for the recent claim of
loyalty to the British Government, although we are
centent to make that our best claim, but also by
the honourable position which some of the greatest
English writers have accorded the Parsis, or ancient
Persians, among the leading nations of the world.
If explanation is due from me, I feel rather that it
should be of a personal character as to why I have
urdertaken this work, and not as to whether the
history of the Parsis should be recorded in an ample
manner from the early period of sovereign
independence down to the present day of
prosperous security and enlightened contentment.

A question which covers so wide a field and
which deals with such a variety of subjects seems
to call for some explanatory introduction which may… (plus d'informations)