Khan Bahadur Padumjee Pestonjee (1820-1894)
The first Parsi Sirdar of Deccan
by Unknown artist
circa 1870
Watercolour on ivory
2.5 x 2 in. (6.4 x 5.1 cm.)
Born in Pune, he was a mail contractor in the Bombay presidency and Deccan. During the mutiny of 1857-58 he was awarded a gold medal and the title of Khan Bahadur for his service. He was also very popular for his public charities.