The Arrival of the Parsis in Gujarat

More than a thousand years ago, in the grand and ancient land of Persia (modern-day Iran), the followers of Zoroastrianism, a faith established by Prophet Zarathustra, lived in peace, worshipping their divine fire and upholding the sacred tenets of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.

But fate turned against them when the Arab invaders swept across Persia in the 7th and 8th centuries CE, bringing new rulers and a new religion. The once-proud Zoroastrians found themselves persecuted, forced to convert, pay heavy taxes, or flee. Faced with oppression, a courageous group of Zoroastrians, led by their high priest Dastur Neryosang Dhaval, made a bold choice. They would leave their homeland, carrying with them their sacred fire, their faith, and their unbreakable spirit.

Thus began their perilous journey.

They sailed across the vast Arabian Sea in small wooden boats, braving raging storms, treacherous waves, and the fear of the unknown. Days turned into weeks, and the sight of land remained elusive. But these were not ordinary travelers, they were people bound by faith and destiny. After an arduous voyage, they finally set foot on the shores of Hindustan, in the prosperous region of Gujarat, near a place called Sanjan.

Though their hearts swelled with relief, their journey was not over yet. They were strangers in a foreign land, and their fate rested in the hands of King Jadi Rana, the ruler of Gujarat. Would he offer them refuge, or would they be turned away like unwelcome wanderers?

The king, hearing of the arrival of these unusual travelers with their foreign tongue and fire-worshipping customs, was cautious. He decided to test their wisdom before making his decision. Instead of sending soldiers or words of warning, he sent them a silent message, a bowl filled to the very brim with milk.

The meaning was clear: His land was full. There was no room for more people.

But Dastur Neryosang Dhaval, wise and perceptive, understood the challenge. He took a small pinch of sugar and gently stirred it into the milk, ensuring not a single drop spilled over. Then, he sent the bowl back to the king.

Jadi Rana was astonished. The message was profound, just as sugar dissolves in milk without displacing it, the Parsis promised to blend into the land, enriching it without causing disruption.

Impressed by their wisdom, the king granted them permission to stay but imposed certain conditions. They had to:

1. Adopt the local language, Gujarati.
2. Dress like the native people, wearing sarees and dhotis instead of Persian robes.
3. Hold their weddings only after sunset, to avoid alarming the local population with their unfamiliar customs.
4. Never raise arms against the ruler of the land.

With gratitude and joy, the Parsis accepted these terms. They settled in Gujarat, built their first Atash Behram (fire temple), and rekindled the sacred flame they had carried across the sea.

Over centuries, the Parsis flourished in India, embracing trade, industry, and education. Though their numbers remained small, their contributions were immense. Even today, some of India’s most influential families, the Tatas, the Godrejs, the Wadias, are proud Parsis, whose enterprises have shaped the country’s economy and progress.

Like sugar in milk, the Parsis have remained a small community, yet their presence has sweetened the nation. And so, the tale of the Saga of Sanjan became a testament to the power of wisdom, adaptation, and peaceful coexistence.

-Rtr. Prathaa Soni (Rotaract Club of Vadodara, India)