PARSIS.--When the Parsis were first admitted into India, certain conditions were imposed upon them by the Hindus; among others they were not to eat beef, and they were to follow the Hindu custom of wearing a top-knot of hair. Old-fashioned Parsis in country districts still follow these customs. To uncover the head is looked upon as a sin; hence Parsis of both sexes always wear some head covering whether indoors or out. In the house the man wears a skull cap; out of doors the older Parsis wear the _khoka_, a tall hat, higher in front than at the back, made of a stiff shiny material, with a diaper pattern (Plate I. fig. 7). The younger generation adopted a round pith hat with a rolled edge of felt, but, under the influence of the _swadeshi_ movement, they have generally reverted to the older form (Plate I. fig. 10). Next to the skin the Parsi wears a _sadra_ or sacred shirt, with a girdle called _kasti_. Over the _sadra_ a white cotton coat is worn, reaching to a little below the waist. The Parsi wears loose cotton trousers like a Mussulman. In country districts he wears a _jama_, and over the _jama_ a _pechodi_ or shoulder cloth. The young Parsi in Bombay has adopted European dress to a great extent, except as to head-gear. The Parsi woman dresses her hair in the old Greek fashion with a knot behind. She also wears a _sadra_ or sacred shirt. Country Parsis in villages wear a tight-fitting sleeveless bodice, and trousers of coloured cloth. Over all she winds a silken _sari_ or sheet round the body; it is then passed between the legs and the end thrown over the right shoulder. Out of doors she covers her head and right temple (Plate I. fig. 8). In towns the _sari_ is not passed between the legs, but hangs in loose folds so as to hide the trousers. The upper classes wear a sleeved _polka_ jacket instead of the bodice. Parsi children up to the age of seven wear cotton frocks called _jabhlan_. They wear long white trousers of early Victorian cut, with frills at the bottom. They wear a round cap like a smoking-cap. The little girls wear their hair flowing loose (Plate I. fig. 9). SHOES.--There is no distinction between the shoes worn by Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs or Parsis, but Hindus will not wear them when made of cow's leather. Shoes are called _juta_, _juti_ or _jute_ by Mahommedans, and _jore_ or _zore_ by Hindus. Shoes are usually distinguished by the name of the material, as _nari ka juta_, leather shoes, _banati juta_, felt shoes, and so on.