In his third book on the Parsis of this cantonment town Denzil Lobo, Mhow’s resident historian has recorded his research findings covering 82 years in the 19th century. The details of those Parsis who once lived there, provided in A Chronology of the Parsis of
Mhow, 1818-1900 should activate the Parsi penchant for unearthing connections — sagaai — an exercise that the small community delights in. The reviewer is reasonably certain that every reader will be able to identify a link with one or more of the persons listed in the book.
Striving for accuracy, Lobo writes in the preface that he has "taken thousands of tidbits” from various sources like the Mhow Anjuman’s uthamna records, the cantonment’s birth and death records, also minutes of committee meetings, Thacker’s Indian Directories, testimonials and obituaries. After referring to old books, the Bombay Gazettes and tapping the memories of Mhow’s Parsis, he has "put them together in this chronology, adding to it my calculations and observations.” Though he enjoyed the exercise, at times the work was confusing as in those days Parsis often did not write their surnames. He also credits Phiroze Illavia and Dolly Masani with imbuing him with the desire to commence his research, which he did in 2009. But acknowledges that "the real starting point is my mother Gwen who introduced me to these lovable Parsis of Mhow when I was a child.”
Top: Denzil Lobo; above: Bomanji Merchant and wife Dhunmai
Lobo’s narrative begins with the year 1818 when the British cantonment of Mhow was established. The personnel of the East India Company had come to the area and brought with them soldiers and people providing provisions, including some Parsis. Among the earliest Parsi families were the Masalawalas, Appoos, Gorwallas and Dotivalas who arrived on bullock drawn carts. Weaving in the history of these families year-wise, Lobo recreates the history of Mhow. The chatty text is interspersed with vintage photographs, many of them obtained from descendants, eg, Cooverji Dinshaw, courtesy: Bapsy Bhagwagar, USA (his great-great-granddaughter).
The self-published, 60-page book printed on art paper is priced at Rs 200 and can be obtained from
lobo.denzil@rediffmail.com.
SHERENE VAKIL