ABSTRACT
Until the first Europeans arrived on the shores of Western India, the Zoroastrian community lived a mainly agrarian way of life for centuries. From the mid-seventeenth century until the end of British rule, they transformed their way of life and became leaders in the educational, social, political, and business milieus of colonial India. They did this because it could be said, “Parsi, thy watchword is adaptability.” This adaptability was admired by the British and yet also led to several conflicting agendas, whether over competing for success in business or leading for reform of the way the authorities ruled India. The amazing thing is that within the small Parsi community could be found the staunchest supporters of British rule and yet others who were its most ardent detractors. Yet despite these schisms in the community, it did not splinter, which helped it to make its mark; nor did it alienate itself from the majority Hindu and Muslim population in all these years. This was an important factor for such a minority community to continue into post-independence India or Pakistan. This chapter follows that remarkable period of roughly 300 years, through the stories of notable individuals who showed Parsis could adapt, moving ahead of the times and yet being a part of the times. It should be mentioned that many unseen Parsis also made this happen and that this chapter did not have the space to record their input. Those who were seen were reflecting the way many were adapting in British India. Zoroastrianism was indeed the sugar in the milk of the political, social, and economic milieus of British colonial India.
