Parsis in India

Parsi population in India is declining at an alarming rate. Parsis are one of the smallest communities in the country. According to the official data from the Census of India, the Zoroastrian Parsi population stood at 57,264, down from 69,601 in 2001.

Because of an ageing demographic, delayed marriages, and low fertility rates, the community’s numbers have fallen by over 40% in the last 60 years. The community has a high proportion of elderly members, with a significant number of individuals remaining unmarried or having no children.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched a programme designed to reverse the community’s population decline. It provides financial and medical assistance for fertility treatments and counselling to encourage Parsi couples to have children.

Organisations like the Parzor Foundation work closely with UNESCO to document and protect the heritage of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community.

The religion of the Parsi community is Zoroastrianism. It is an ancient monotheistic faith founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Persia, modern-day Iran. Parsis are descendants of Persian Zoroastrians who fled to the Indian subcontinent between the 8th and 10th centuries to escape religious persecution during the Arab-Islamic conquest of Iran, then Persia. According to reports, their persecution in Iran continues even today.

The core tenets and practices of the religion include belief in one universal, supreme creator named Ahura Mazda, meaning “Wise Lord”. They hold fire (Atash) and water as supreme symbols of purity and life. Fire is kept burning continuously in their temples, which are often called fire temples or agiaries. Their moral philosophy is summarised by the threefold path of Humata, Hukhta, and Huvarsta—meaning “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds”.

Their holy scriptures are collectively called the Avesta, which includes the Gathas (hymns believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself).

The exact date of the Parsi migration is unknown. According to tradition, the Parsis initially settled at Hormuz, on the Persian Gulf. But, finding themselves still persecuted, they set sail for India. The word “Parsi” literally translates to “Persian”. Qissa-i-Sanjan (“Sugar in the Milk”) is the foundational legend explaining the integration of the Parsis into India, where they found sanctuary mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra between the 7th and 10th centuries.

The story of their arrival in India is quite interesting. When they arrived in Gujarat, the Rajput king of Sanjan, Jadhav Rana, offered them a glass of milk filled to the brim, implying that the land was full. The Parsi high priest added sugar to the milk to show that they would integrate seamlessly and sweeten the culture without displacing anyone.

The earliest of these migrants settled among the Hindus of present-day Gujarat. However, the Parsi community had to abide by three rules: they had to speak the local language, follow local marriage customs, and not carry any weapons. Parsi women had to wear Indian dress, particularly the sari. The early Parsi community was granted a plot of land to build a fire temple.

They settled first at Diu, in Kathiawar, but soon moved to Gujarat, where they remained for about 800 years as a small agricultural community.

With the establishment of British trading posts at Surat in Gujarat and elsewhere in the early 17th century, the Parsis’ circumstances altered radically, for they were in some ways more receptive to European influences than the Hindus or Muslims, and they developed a flair for commerce.

Bombay, now Mumbai, came under the control of the East India Company in 1668. This provided the Parsis from Gujarat an opportunity to settle in Mumbai and around it. The expansion of the city in the 18th century was largely due to their hard work and ability as merchants. By the 19th century, they were a wealthy community, and from about 1850 onwards, they had considerable success in heavy industries, particularly those connected with railways and shipbuilding.

The contribution of Parsi visionaries to the economic growth of India has been immense. Jamsetji Tata is widely regarded as the “Father of Indian Industry”. He laid the groundwork for India’s steel and hydroelectric power sectors and established the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

J. R. D. Tata was India’s pioneer of aviation, who founded Air India and took the Tata conglomerate to unprecedented heights. Ratan Tata transformed the Tata Group into a massive global enterprise by orchestrating major international acquisitions, including Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley.

Next comes the Godrej Group, a leading Indian multinational conglomerate known for consumer goods, security locks, and real estate. The Godrej brothers, Ardeshir and Pirojsha, founded the company in 1897, starting with security locks and eventually branching into soaps, typewriters, and appliances. They took an active part in the Swadeshi (self-reliance) movement in India. Under the leadership of Adi Godrej as chairman, the group modernised and expanded its footprint into diverse global markets.

Another Parsi luminary is Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Serum Institute of India (SII). Founded in 1966, SII has grown into the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, playing a critical role in saving millions of lives globally by producing affordable vaccines.

Next in line is Nusli Wadia, chairman of the Wadia Group. It is an illustrious conglomerate with historical roots dating back to the 18th century, when the Wadia family were master shipbuilders in Bombay. The Wadia Group now spans textile manufacturing (Bombay Dyeing), aviation (GoAir), and real estate.

This list would be incomplete without mentioning the father of Indian space science, Dr Homi Bhabha. The contribution of Parsis to the Indian Defence Forces deserves a salute. The most prominent among them is Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, affectionately called Sam Bahadur by his troops. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the 1971 victory that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Parsis mostly live in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi, and in some towns and villages north of Mumbai. Parsis have a good sense of humour. They love cracking jokes about themselves, and this shows their jovial character.

Parsi cuisine is a vibrant, flavourful amalgamation of Persian, Gujarati, and British colonial influences. Characterised by its delicate balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours, it heavily features meats, fresh seafood, eggs, lentils, and the signature use of crispy fried potato straws (sali).

Some of the iconic Parsi dishes:

Dhansak: A rich, hearty curry made from a slow-cooked combination of meat, vegetables, and three varieties of lentils (dals). It is traditionally served with fragrant, caramelised basmati rice.

Patra Ni Machi: Fresh white fish (like pomfret) smothered in a vibrant, spicy green coriander and coconut chutney, wrapped in a banana leaf, and steamed to perfection.

Sali Boti: A sweet and tangy mutton or chicken curry cooked with tomatoes and apricots, topped generously with crispy, shoestring fried potatoes.

Akuri: A heavily spiced, beautifully soft and creamy Parsi-style scrambled egg, usually packed with onions, tomatoes, and fresh coriander.

Berry Pulao: A fragrant rice dish cooked with succulent pieces of meat, caramelised onions, and tart Iranian barberries, offering an authentic taste of Persian heritage.

Sweets and breads:

Lagan Nu Custard: A rich, decadent wedding custard similar to a classic crème brûlée, flavoured with cardamom, nutmeg, and rosewater.

Mawa Cake and Bun Maska: Soft, melt-in-the-mouth milk cakes and sweet buns generously slathered with butter, famously enjoyed at traditional Irani cafés.

Dar Ni Pori: A traditional pastry stuffed with a sweet, spiced lentil and dry-fruit filling.

Parsi culture is famous for its warmth, love of good food, and ability to laugh at itself. Here are a few classic, light-hearted Parsi jokes to share with your friends.

Doctor’s Advice

Pesi: Doctor, my wife has lost her voice completely! What should I do?

Doctor: Well, I’d advise absolute peace and quiet. Go away to a secluded resort for a few days where she can’t talk to anyone.

Pesi: (Looking worried) Khodaiji... I can’t do that, Doc! If I take her to a resort, who is going to argue with me?

Rusi’s Will

Rusi: I’m making my will, Framroz. I want my family to put a cricket ball, my carrom striker, and two bottles of beer inside my coffin when I die.

Framroz: What rubbish! What on earth are you going to do with those?

Rusi: Arebaapre! What do you mean? How else am I supposed to play with the angels in heaven?

Nothing Comes Between a Bawa and His Food

A Parsi man goes to an eye doctor, complaining of blurry vision.

Doctor: I see. Before we examine your eyes, let me ask you... how much do you drink every day?

Man: Oh, not much, Doc. Just a little whisky in the evening with my friends.

Doctor: Well, that’s exactly the problem! You have to stop immediately. If you don’t stop, you will completely lose your eyesight!

The man looks at the doctor, shrugs, and says, “Javaa de ne yaar... At my age, I have already seen dhansak and patra ni machhi. What more do I need to see in this world?!”*