and were unable to offer any serious resistance to their fierce invaders, a nobler spirit still breathed in some parts of the country, where the inhabitants, who were chiefly engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, inherited some of the indomitable courage and patience of their forefathers. Rather than accept the faith of the Saracens, which they looked on as idolatrous, these people submitted to the most cruel and unceasing persecution. They were driven from one part of the country to another, until at last, despairing of ever being able to remain in peace in their native land, a remnant of them took ship and sailed to India, where they landed on the western coast. Here they were kindly received by the people, and the rajah or prince of the place gave them permission to settle, and to exercise their religion without molestation. During the thousand years that have passed since their arrival in India, their history has been very uneventful. When Timur invaded Northern India, people called Magians are enumerated among his prisoners, from which we may infer that the disciples of Zoroaster had already made their way into the Punjab. Gradually the Parsis abandoned the agricultural pursuits which had occupied them on their first arrival, and, flocking to the towns and cities, devoted themselves to commerce.
When the English became masters of Bombay and of Surat, they found the Parsis established in both
