Power and position: What was the social standing of Parsis in India

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

By Jaya Srivalli Bandi

Though the size of Parsis is relatively small compared to the pre colonial period, their presence in India has definitely become a boon.




https://www.npr.org/2012/09/05/160401322/vanishing-vultures-a-grave-matter-for-indias-parsis


ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION:

The prominence of Parsis rose as they emerged as notable industrialists and entrepreneurs during the British colonial era in India. They established many businesses which include shipping, automobiles, textiles and various other sectors.

They made substantial enhancements in establishing many foundations like Tata group, Godrej, Cafe Irani chai etc. They also contributed to our Economic success by involving in various other sectors like science, trade, education etc.

https://www.uniindia.com/~/tata-motors-accelerates-innovation-record-222-patents-filed-and-333-grants-secured-in-fy24/Business%20Economy/news/3186645.html



https://www.outlookbusiness.com/corporate/godrej-properties-opens-taj-the-trees-hotel-in-mumbai


EDUCATION AND LITERACY: 

Parsis are known to have a high literacy rate, this is because they put more emphasis on education and gave a higher priority to it. 

Their efforts enabled them to excel in various fields like education sector, science, automobile etc.


PHILANTHROPY:

The Parsis are known for their philanthropic nature for their efforts in contributing to many social welfare initiative works, both within their community and outside helped raise the living standards of many people. 


CHALLENGES: 

From the past few decades, the Parsis are facing few issues like declining population because of their orthodox principles such as women being ostracized for marrying men who do not belong to the parsi community. And their fertility rate has fallen.


 RENOWNED PERSONALITIES:

The first Indian to serve in the British Parliament is Dadabhoy Naoroji, was a Parsi, Ratan Tata, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Boman Irani, Zubin Mehta etc..


https://businessworld.in/article/jrd-tata-cyrus-poonawalla-nusli-wadia-parsi-stalwarts-who-contributed-to-india%E2%80%99s-growth-story-487843



"AS AN ETHNIC COMMUNITY": 

“Over the centuries since the first Zoroastrians arrived in India, the Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while simultaneously maintaining or developing their own distinct customs and traditions (and thus ethnic identity). This in turn has given the Parsi community a rather peculiar standing: they are mostly Indians in terms of national affiliation, language and history, but not typically Indian in terms of consanguinity or ethnicity, cultural, behavioral and religious practices.”

(Parsi Personalities, n.d.)

“Parsis also established the first cotton mills in India, the first newspaper, the first Indian owned bank. For a community that is so microscopic (69,000 out of an Indian population of 1.23 billion ) our contribution to India has been out of proportion to our numerical insignificance. Despite being only .007 percent of the population, Parsis have, without seeking any special minority privileges, played a large role in the development of our adopted country, to which we came 900 years ago, seeking refuge from religious persecution in Iran.Parsis also established the first cotton mills in India, the first newspaper, the first Indian owned bank.”

(Parsis, 2024)



References

Parsis. (2024, october 27). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsis

“THROUGH A LENS, BY A MIRROR: THE PARSIS (1977-2013)”. (n.d.). Google Arts and Culture.

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