The Parsis

The Parsis

The beginning

In the 10th century a group of Iranians fled Iran as refugees in search of somewhere to practise their religion freely.

The Iranshah Atash Behram at Udwada - the most scared fire temple in India, which houses the flame brought by the Parsis on their flight from Iran ©

They finally ended up on the shores of Gujarat and were granted leave to stay there, thus founding the Indian Parsi community (Parsi being Gujarati for Persian).

The following centuries and modern Zoroastrians

Over the next centuries, Zoroastrianism survived with just a few minor cultural differences creeping in both in India and Iran.

It wasn't until the systematic doctrinal attacks of the 19th century by Christian missionaries in India that Zoroastrianism had to seriously re-examine itself in order to survive.

The confused response of the Parsi priesthood to these early campaigns marked the beginning of an era of re-interpretation of the Avesta, the effects of which soon began to filter back to Iran.

• The Parsis begin to introduce deliberate religious reforms
• The Zoroastrian response to the increasing urbanisation and cultural diversity of the 20th century was one of flexibility and integrity that reflected the three core values of good thoughts, good words and good deeds
  • Respect for Zoroastrianism grew through its generous and healthy contributions to the societies it encountered, and its reputation for the honesty of its businessmen

The decline of the priesthood and the global dispersion of the sparse population of remaining Zoroastrians has become a serious issue for the survival of the Zoroastrian faith. However, the same readiness to defy adversity and insistence on remaining true to the values of Zoroastrianism prevails. These are the same qualities which have ensured its survival for the last 3000 years.