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PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2: ABSORPTION IN INDIA – Mumbai Blogg
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PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2
MAP OF GUJARAT, INDIA. PARSI SETTLEMENT TOWNS IN WHITE
Home / ZOROASTRIAN ZEN / PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2: ABSORPTION IN INDIA

PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2: ABSORPTION IN INDIA

PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2: ABSORPTION IN INDIA

——–By Heritage Architect Sanaeya Vandrewala

 

After attaining certain stability in Sanjan, the Parsis started settling in other towns along the coast of Gujarat. They settled in Navsari, Surat, Khambhat, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, and Tarapore while maintaining trade contacts with Iran. Records show that from 900 AD onwards the Parsis had settled comfortably in these towns and had become quite prosperous. Several years of peace, which had helped the Parsis survive and prosper economically and culturally were followed by 200 years of continuous disturbances. Despite these unfavorable conditions, the Parsis managed to keep their distinctive nature intact.

 

The most distinctive period for the Parsis during this time was the part played by Dastur Meherjirana in Emperor Akbar’s court of religious conferences (1570-1578 AD). During this period Navsari developed as one of the important centers for Parsi learning and culture. This was followed by the prosperous growth of other places as well. Surat was now being called as the City of Gold. Bharuch had become a well-known town, whereas Bilimora had transformed from a village into a thriving town.

PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2
LIBRARY IN NAVSARI NAMED AFTER DASTUR MEHERJIRANA

 

In the 17th century, European traders started coming to western India. The port of Surat gained importance and the Parsis began to gain important positions in the East India Company. In 1661, as Bombay became a British possession, Parsis in due course became the mercantile elite of India. The success of the Parsi community was mainly dependent on its adaptable nature, lack of social religious taboos and command over the English language. The influence of Parsis on the Indian life was not prominent until the 18th century. By the end of the 18th century, a large population of Parsis had migrated towards Bombay. Parsis had merged with the Indian life and were doing well in various trades and businesses. By 19th century Parsis had become the foremost figures in Bombay establishing the first business houses in the country, they emerged at the local, district and regional level with social and economic gains that were elite based. Thus by the 20th Century Parsis along with other communities they played a major role in making Bombay the richest and the most important industrial and commercial center of India. Parsis also played an important role in the Indian freedom movement. Dadabhai Naoroji who belonged to the Parsi Zoroastrian faith was the first to represent India in the British parliament in 1892. Many other Parsis held important political positions even after independence.

PARSIS IN INDIA- PART 2
AGIARY AT CHIKLI, TOWN BETWEEN SURAT AND NAVSARI.

The Zoroastrian refugees have come a long way. Their glorious years in Iran were followed by times of persecution, suffering, and turmoil. Their miraculous landing in India and absorbing a foreign culture, while maintaining their own identity as Parsi Zoroastrians, make it a true world culture today.

 

Parsi Zoroastrians have contributed in a large way towards the growth of the nation. Often starting from humble beginnings, they lived in great style but returned their wealth many-fold to the country. From shipbuilders to freedom struggle, from charitable institutions to business and enterprise; Parsis have helped not only theirs but other communities as well. They have contributed towards hospitals, schools, fire temples, trusts to promote education and fine arts extending their philanthropy to one and all. Parsis have been pioneers in industry hospitality and education. Among the earliest is the Wadia family for shipbuilding, Petit business house for laying foundation for the textile industry, Godrej business house for manufacture of household products, business house of Tata’s for industrial foundation, Dr Homi Bhabha for being the prime architect of India’s nuclear and space program, three baronets Sir , Sir Dinshaw Petit, Sir Cowasjee Jehangir and many others.

 

 

The story of the Parsi community is a story of victory of man’s undying spirit. The position and status achieved by the Parsi community have brought a strong sense of fulfillment in its members. Even though minuscule in number the community is a respected minority, advancing and achieving by merit and talent.

 

Mahatma Gandhi while once addressing a crowd in England in the 1940’s stated,

“I am proud of my country, India, for having produced the splendid Zoroastrian stock, in numbers beneath contempt, but in charity and philanthropy perhaps unequaled and certainly unsurpassed”. Even though dwindling in numbers, in this 21st century brings one hope for a revival of the community, which will help the Parsis rise back to a national as well as an international scene.

 

Bibliography:

  •    Dadachandji F (1995) Speeches and writings on Zoroastrian Religion, Culture, and Civilization. Karachi:Ehtesham process.
  •    Dhanjisa, S and Kamerkar, M (2002) From the Iranian plateau to the shores of Gujarat: The story of Parsi settlement and absorption in India. Mumbai: Allied Publishers/K. R. Cama Oriental Institute
  •    Khan, R (nd) Insights into the Zarathustrian religion. Mumbai: Zarathushtri Trust
  •    Rivetna, R (Ed) (2002) The legacy of Zarathushtra:An introduction to religion, history, and culture of the Zoroastrians. Illinois: Federation of Zoroastrian Association of North America

 

 

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Collection Of Kindling To Make The Fire called The ‘Aatash Behram’.

Collection Of Kindling For A Zoroastrian Place of Worship.

For a quick recap, collection of kindling for fire temple is from the pyre while the corpse is burning and 15 others from the hearths of:         a dyer, a ruler, a potter, a brick-maker, a fakir or an ascetic, a goldsmith, a mint,  a blacksmith, one who makes armours, a baker, a brewer or distiller or an idol-worshipper, a soldier or a traveler, a shepherd, fire produced by atmospheric lightning, any Zoroastrian. At every stage of the process of collection of kindling for fire temple must be conducted by a Zoroastrian and no other person. The procedure for collection of the fires varies in the case of each of the 16 places from where that particular fire is collected.


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