Iran, the ancient home of the Zoroastrians, is once again in trouble following the recent US-Israeli attack. Tehran has responded by attacking US military bases in the Gulf.
Centuries ago, this same land witnessed a historic departure. In the 7th century, when Muslim armies conquered Persia (now Iran), many Zoroastrians were pressured to convert. Fearing persecution, a segment of the community decided to leave their homeland.
These Zoroastrians left their homeland in search of a place where they could practice their religion without fear and eventually found a safe haven in India. They arrived on the western coast of India, where a local ruler allowed them to settle peacefully.
Over time, they came to be known as Parsis. They were not only given refuge but also allowed to build their own fire temples. This encouraged more Zoroastrians to migrate from Iran to India.
The Parsis first settled in Sanjan, a coastal city in present-day Gujarat. From there, they gradually moved to other cities such as Navsari, Ankleshwar, and Surat as their population grew and trade opportunities increased. After settling in Gujarat, the Parsis quickly adapted to their new environment and began speaking Gujarati.
The Parsis also adopted many local Hindu customs and observed some social practices common in Gujarat.
One of the most significant moments in Parsi history in India was the establishment of their sacred fire temple in Sanjan.
They built an Atash Behram, the highest-ranking fire temple in Zoroastrianism, known as the Iranshah Atash Behram, which continues to burn there today and is one of the holiest places for Parsis worldwide.
Some even decided to move north, to places like Dehradun, and even to the Sindh and Punjab provinces (now part of Pakistan).
When Parsis first settled in India, they made an important promise to their Hindu hosts that they would not try to convert others to their religion, which helped them live peacefully and gain trust. However, later, conversion became a strict rule in their culture.
According to The Guardian, Parsis are marrying later, having fewer children, and many are choosing not to marry at all. Because outsiders cannot convert easily, the community is rapidly shrinking.
Jahangir Patel, who has edited the community’s monthly magazine, Parsiana, for nearly 50 years, said, “You may have heard of four weddings and a funeral. Today, for Parsis, it’s four funerals and a wedding.”
By the 20th century, especially as India moved toward independence, Parsis had become deeply involved in almost every aspect of public life.
They established their own hospitals and medical centers, Boy Scout groups, ambulance corps, educational institutions, housing colonies, and community organizations, and also ran newspapers, magazines, and literary groups.