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"There is a monumental water fountain in Regent’s Park in Central London… (There are) so many Parsis in London and nobody seems to be able to tell their guests about it,” stated Sheraz Bhesania in an email sent to Parsiana on February 3, 2022. The email included images of the Readymoney Drinking Fountain, also occasionally known as the Parsi Fountain, a Grade II listed structure near the middle of the Broad Walk footpath on the east side of Regent’s Park.
As inscribed on a plaque on the structure: "This fountain erected by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association was the gift of Sir Cowasjee Jehangir (Companion of the Star of India), a wealthy Parsee gentleman of Bombay as a token of gratitude to the people of England for the protection enjoyed by him and his Parsee fellow countrymen under the British rule in India/ Inaugurated by H.R.H. Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck. 1869.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Built at a cost of £ 1,400, and located near the highest point of Regent’s Park, about 41 m above sea level, in an area with few trees, the Fountain is widely visible. According to Wikipedia, the Gothic structure was designed by Robert Keirle and constructed by sculptor Henry Ross, using 10 tons of white marble from Sicily, and four tons of pink and grey granite from Aberdeen.
The main four-sided structure rests on three octagonal steps. The central white marble block has a pink granite basin on each side, with granite standing blocks on the ground beside each basin. "Small apertures were included at the base of the central block to allow dogs to drink. Above each basin is a carved marble panel, with one depicting a lion and another a Brahmin bull, topped by a frieze decorated with inlaid stars and a triangular pediment resembling a gable. The central block rises to a gabled spire with a decorative terminal, with three pink granite columnettes rising to a single pinnacle at each corner. Three of the gables have a carved bust, depicting Readymoney, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, and the fourth has a clock,” as detailed by Wikipedia.
Hundred years later it was listed as a Grade II structure and restored in 1999–2000 at a cost of over £ 400,000 (Rs 4.05 crore) with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Further restoration work was undertaken five years ago. The water no longer runs but a modern drinking fountain has been installed nearby.
In the Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil, Jehangir (1812-1878) is introduced as "A great Parsi philanthropist who commenced his career as a godown keeper and by his own industrious exertions attained by honesty and enterprise considerable wealth and eminence in Bombay having founded several public institutions such as hospitals, educational buildings, public fountains, lunatic asylum, dharamshalas, etc.” Having contributed about Rs 15 lakhs to objects of public charity, "His vigorous ability and remarkable public spirit and benefactions gave him wide fame and his name will go down to posterity as a catholic-minded citizen of Western India.”
The community in Bombay too may not be aware that Jehangir had expended Rs 13,777 towards the erection of a fountain beside St Thomas Cathedral near Horniman Circle in 1866. This symbolized his gratitude for his forebear, Hirji Jivanji Readymoney, enjoying the distinction of being the first non member of the Church of England for whom bells had tolled on his passing away in 1794, historian from the same family lineage Adi Jehangir recalled for Parsiana. Apparently this gesture was misconstrued by orthodox members of the community in Bombay who felt it was demeaning and an insult to Parsis. Hence they started referring to the imposing fountain that has a cross at the pinnacle as "Cawasji Cross.”
Readymoney was apparently the first Parsi merchant to set sail for China in 1756 and set up a trading firm in Canton.