The Parsis, descendants of the ancient Persians, are a Zoroastrian people that have survived into modern times. Dauphine Menant’s classic study on the history of the Parsis in India is made available in its first French edition. In the style of the travelogue, the study contains illustrations of parts of the Parsis life in the late nineteenth century. Beginning with the exodus of the Parsis from their homeland, Menant takes the reader through an exploration of their Zoroastrianism, the population, customs of dress and holidays. Social institution such as birth, initiation into the faith, and marriage, as well as funerary practices are also considered. A discussion of village councils and legislation, and the differences between the education of girls and boys, followed by information on commerce, literature, and politics, round out this time-honored study. Twenty-one plates as well as illustrations within the text serve the valuable function of enabling the reader to visualize this swiftly disappearing culture. This basic introduction to the history and life of the Parsis will appeal to those interested in the state of religious minorities in Asia, as well as those who are researching the living traditions of Zoroastrianism.

Dauphine Menant (b. 1850) was the daughter of the Assyriologist Joachim Menant. She received a prize from the Academy for this book. Later she was sent on a scientific mission to British India.