whom they are practised. When he went to Bombay he found there a population of a few thousands and an insignificant revenue, derived largely from taxes upon rice-land and upon palm trees, from which the native drink known as toddy was distilled. He then vowed "by God's help" to make the place a more worthy centre of English influence, and he was as good as his word. Before his term of service closed in 1677, the population had grown to 50,000, an important revenue had been created, the defences had been strengthened, and the beginnings had been made of a judicial system.
Not the least of Aungier's achievements was that he attracted by his measures a class of settlers of the very best type. The Banians, who are the salt of the Hindu trading community in Western India, were numerously represented, and there was a considerable number of Armenians, also excellent traders, and a distinctly law-abiding class. But the most interesting element in the immigration was the Parsee. Of all the varied races which go to make up the Indian community there is none which possesses in a higher degree the genius for commerce than this body of followers of Zoroaster.
Driven out of Persia by persecution in the sixth century, the Parsees landed on the coast of Western India near Surat, and were granted an asylum by the native authorities. There they lived in comparative peace and contentment for centuries, but they did not greatly prosper owing doubtless to the racial restrictions which prevented them from taking part in the larger life of India. The period of their real prosperity dates from their settlement in Borabay. Entering into the life of the town without the religious and caste prejudices which hampered the Hindus,
