The Parsees
In 936, a group of Zoroastrians immigrated to Gujarat in
India to escape the Muslim prosecution. Today, these
Zoroastrians are known as Parsees. In the 17th century,
Parsees moved to Bombay, a port city in Western India.
There they took part in shipbuilding, textile industry as well
as trade and eventually prospered. The Parsees, both men and women,
contributed a great deal to well being of the Indian community.
They built hospitals, orphanages, schools, factories, and fire temples.
One famous Parsee was Jehangir R.D. Tata who established India's first
air service, Tata Aviation, which later became Air India.
The other was Sir Ness Wadia who established the first wireless
service connecting India and Britain. He was the first Indian Knighted by the British.
If you would like to learn more about the Parsees, please click here!