This Religion Sailed From Iran 1089 Years Ago, Left Indelible Mark On Modern India
Last Updated:
Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions, was born in ancient Iran, known then as Fars or Persia, around the 6th century BCE
More than a thousand years ago, long before India became home to over 100 crore people, a few followers of Zoroastrianism anchored off the coast of Gujarat, fleeing religious persecution in ancient Persia. Today, their descendants are known as Parsis, a small but mighty community that has played an outsized role in shaping modern India.
Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions, was born in ancient Iran, known then as Fars or Persia, around 6th century BCE. Founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), it flourished under royal patronage and became the official state religion of the Sassanian Empire in 3rd century CE. But when the Sassanid dynasty fell to Arab Muslim invaders in 652 CE, the fate of the faith changed forever. Many Zoroastrians converted to Islam, while others faced growing religious restrictions and heavy taxes known as ' jaziya '.
Determined to preserve their faith, some Zoroastrians chose exile over extinction. Boarding ships headed east, they sought a new beginning far from the reach of the Caliphate. Their journey ended on the western coast of India.
Parsi folklore recounts a symbolic story of their arrival in India. When they reached the port town of Sanjan in 936 CE, they met a local king who welcomed them with a silent message; he presented a brimming glass of milk, implying his kingdom was full. In response, the Zoroastrians gently stirred in a spoonful of sugar, without spilling a drop. They promised to assimilate peacefully and sweeten the land with their presence.
Moved by this gesture, the king granted them asylum with a few conditions: they were to adopt local customs, wear the sari, conduct marriages after sunset, and speak the regional language. In return, they were free to practise their faith.
While the Parsis in India slowly prospered, their Iranian brethren faced centuries of hardship. Under various dynasties, including the Umayyads and later the Qajars, Zoroastrians in Iran were often forced into second-class status. They could not ride horses, carry umbrellas, inherit property, or build fire temples. Their lives were marked by humiliation, poverty, and isolation.
Despite this, the Iranian Zoroastrians held onto their faith. It was not until the 19th century that the Indian Parsis began offering aid, establishing the Society for the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Zoroastrians in Persia. Small numbers of Iranian Zoroastrians eventually migrated to India, seeking a more tolerant environment.
Yet centuries of separation left deep imprints. The Iranian and Indian Parsis developed distinct rituals, languages, and even separate religious calendars.
Parsi Rise Under British Rule
In colonial India, the Parsis found new opportunities. Their fluency in English, cosmopolitan outlook, and strong work ethic endeared them to British administrators. By the early 1800s, though their population in Bombay was under 10,000, Parsis owned more businesses than either Hindus or Europeans.
They built schools, especially for girls, hospitals, libraries, and fire temples. Education and charity became hallmarks of the Parsi identity.
Their contributions to the economy during this time were transformative. Textile mills, steel plants, shipyards, and banks bore the imprint of Parsi entrepreneurship. Their legacy includes names that remain towering pillars in the industrial and philanthropic landscape.
After India's independence in 1947, the Parsi community, once concentrated in Gujarat and Mumbai, began to go global. Many moved to the UK, the US, and Canada in search of economic and academic opportunities. Meanwhile, Iranian Zoroastrians began their own wave of migration following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, fleeing another round of religious restrictions.
Today, less than 2,00,000 Zoroastrians remain worldwide. Yet the diaspora continues to sustain a vibrant global identity, with India still home to the largest concentration, primarily in Mumbai and parts of Gujarat.
Despite their dwindling numbers, Parsis have left an indelible mark on India's growth:
Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group which today is a global powerhouse in steel, hospitality, IT, and more.
Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, redefined business with his leadership, ethics, and vision.
Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian Member of British Parliament, exposed economic exploitation under colonial rule.
Homi J Bhabha, father of India's nuclear program, laid the foundation for the nation's atomic energy.
Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of the Serum Institute of India, led global vaccine production, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis.
Fali S Nariman, one of the most respected jurists, influenced constitutional law and civil liberties.
Ardeshir Godrej and Rustomji Modi revolutionised the manufacturing and steel industries.
Today, the Parsi community faces demographic challenges – low fertility, intermarriage restrictions, and an aging population have led to population decline. But their legacy lives on in the legal system, science labs, and boardrooms.
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In return, they were free to practise their faith. While the Parsis in India slowly prospered, their Iranian brethren faced centuries of hardship. Under various dynasties, including the Umayyads and later the Qajars, Zoroastrians in Iran were often forced into second-class status. They could not ride horses, carry umbrellas, inherit property, or build fire temples. Their lives were marked by humiliation, poverty, and isolation. Despite this, the Iranian Zoroastrians held onto their faith. It was not until the 19th century that the Indian Parsis began offering aid, establishing the Society for the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Zoroastrians in Persia. Small numbers of Iranian Zoroastrians eventually migrated to India, seeking a more tolerant environment. Yet centuries of separation left deep imprints. The Iranian and Indian Parsis developed distinct rituals, languages, and even separate religious calendars. 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