WhatIfthe CrusadesHad Never Happened?
Up to 1896 the Parsis were obliged to twist their turbans instead
of folding them. Up to 1896 only brown, grey, and yellow were
allowed for theBaba[outer coat] orarkhaka(under coat) (body
garments), but after that all colors were permitted except blue,
black, bright red, or green. There was also a prohibition against
white stockings, and up to about 1880 the Parsis had to wear a
spec ial kind of pecul iarl y hide ous shoe with a broa d, turn ed-
uptoe.Up to 1865 they had to wear a torn cap. Up to 1880 they
had to wear tight knickers, self-colored, instead of trousers. Up to
1891 allZoroastrianshad to walk in town, and even in thedese rt
they had to dismo unt if they met a Muss ulma n of any rank
whatsoever. During the time that I was in Yazd they were
allowed to ride in the desert, and only had to dismount if they
met a big Mussu lman. There were other simila r dress restri c-
tionstoonumerous and trifling to mention.
Then the houses of both the Parsis and the Jews, with the
surrounding walls hadtobe built so low that the top could be
reached by a Mussulman with his hand extended; they might,
however, dig down below the level of the road.... Up to about
1860 Parriscould notengagein trade. They used to hide things
in the ir cel lar roo ms, and sel l the m sec ret ly, The y can now
trade in the caravanser ais or hostelri es, but not in the bazaars,
nor may they trade in linen drapery. Up to 1870 they were not
permitted to haveaschool for their children,
The amo unt of th e jaz iva ,or ta x upo n in fid els , di ffe re d
acc ord ing to the wea lth of the ind ivi dua l Par si, but it was
neve r les s tha n two tom aim[10,00 0 din ars ], Ator nanis now
worth about three shillings and eight pence, but it used to be
worth much more. Even now, when money has much depreci-
ated , it repr esent salabo rer' s wage for ten days. The mone y
must be paid on the spot, when thefarrash[literally, a carpet