Posted On: 2024-08-16 11:37:59
Parsis, or as known in the whole world; Zoroastrians, are one of the oldest and smallest communities in India. According to the Parsi epic written in the 16th century by a priest Bahman Kaikobad, entitled Kisseh-i Sanjan, the first Parsis arrived from Greater Iran between the 8th and 10th Centuries fearing persecution. They were granted asylum in present-day Gujarat by a local king named, Jadi Rana.
Today, the population of Parsis roughly stands around 70,000 people in India and is mostly concentrated in Mumbai, Maharashtra with scattered communities also found in Bengaluru, and Karnataka.
Parsis have immensely contributed to modern India and yet their achievements are rarely highlighted. Perhaps, the most important Parsi figure in India is none other than Dadabhai Naoroji. In his book, Poverty And UN-British Rule In India, he focuses on the drain theory, emphasising that British colonial rule was the reason behind India’s poverty and lack of prosperity.
Another significant contributor to the Indian Freedom Movement was Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, who was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress, a political party that still plays a significant role in the Indian political sphere and has greatly influenced the freedom struggle.
Beyond the fight for freedom, Parsis have also helped India rise to the stratosphere. Homi J. Bhabha was one of the pioneers in India’s development of nuclear programmes. He was the founding director of the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) which was later renamed the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in his honour.
India’s first female photojournalist was also a Parsi woman named Homai Vyarawalla. One of the pioneers of women’s cricket in India was Diana Edulji, who went on to become the first Indian woman to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2023 and was the first woman in the BCCI selection panel in 2017.
Parsis are also one of the most charitable groups in India. The main religious figure of Zoroastrianism, Zarathushtra aka Zoroaster, said that Happiness is to him who makes others happy. Various charitable trusts in Mumbai are run by Parsis, for example, A. H. Wadia Charitable Trust, Ardeshir B. Dubash Foundation and more.
Filaantro is extremely proud of Parsis in India and would like to wish everyone a very Happy Parsi New Year. May your contributions continue to make India prosperous and endow the community with the spirit of charity.
Filaantro is greatly inspired by the Parsi community in India and with the help of its crowdfunding partner, Child Help Foundation, has helped 48,45,101 people all over India.
Author: Adil Sayyad
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