V

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

 

The historical beginnings of Parsis in professional life came through their role as interpreters and professional middlemen between the Dutch and the Indians.

They were weavers who introduced Chinese silk and brocade weaving into India.

As foremen and carpenters in the construction of ships and dockyards, Parsis were pioneers. The Wadias were ship builders, some even qualified engineers although today they are known for their contribution to commerce and industry.

At another level, Parsis were known as expert Hakims and Vaids, some following the Unani system and other herbal remedies as well as the profession of bone setting still continued by the Madhivala family.

Because of their professional links, the Paris became westernized very quickly and shifted to the urban centres of Surat and Mumbai. They laid great stress on education and the British finding them useful for their purposes took great pains to nurture their ambitions.

There is a need to follow up the late Padma Shri Homi Talyarkhan’s idea of a Parsi encyclopedia on those in the professions and also consult the archives of Parsiana and Jame-Jamshed to trace Parsi success stories across the world.

Besides this, research and global networking is sure to reveal that the Parsis continue to excel in the professions.

Historical records, letters, documents and deeds need to be collected and collated to provide interesting data about the beginnings of professional life in India, much of which was pioneered by the Parsis as can be seen in the examples given below.

This does not claim to be an exhaustive or detailed analysis but from it a general idea of the Parsi contribution to the Professions can be obtained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW

MEDICAL

ARMED FORCES & ALLIED SERVICES

From Sir Dinshaw Mulla whose Series "Mullas Classics" include The Code of Civil Procedure, Contracts, Principles of Mohammedan Law, Principles of Hindu Law, all of which are still standard works today to Jamshetji Kanga, Sir N P Engineer and H N Seervai’s study Constitutional Law of India, much of Indian law has been framed by the Parsis.

Nani Palkhiwala, Fali Nariman, and the present Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee continue to be the most respected in the Indian judicial world.

The first Indian woman barrister was a Parsi, Padma Bhushan Mithan J Lam who helped draft the Hindu Code Bill.

Many judges including those at the Supreme Court of India, lawyers, legal firms continue the Parsi tradition of excellence in law at state and national levels.

 

The first Civil Hospital of Mumbai was built by Sir Jamshetjee Jeejeebhoy in 1843, Sir Cowasji Jehangir built the first Civil Hospital at Surat, Sir Nowroji Vakil contributed to the Civil Hospital at Ahmedabad.

Dr. Sorabji Shroff founded Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, the first in Northern India at Delhi, the first Veterinary Hospital in the country was built by Lady Sakarbai Petit in 1874.

The first Indian to become an MD of London was Dr. Bahadurjee. In cardiology Padma Bhushan Dr. Rustom Vakil is called "The Father of Indian Cardiology". Dr. Noshir Antia pioneered plastic surgery in India.

Pioneers in Ophthalmology include Lt. Col. Sir Duggan, Dr. Irani, Dr. Banaji, Dr. Shroff.

Asia’s largest Cancer Hospital and Research Centre was founded through a Tata Trust and headed by famous Parsis such as Padma Bhushan Dr. Paymaster.

The first Indian to be appointed Nursing Advisor to the Government of India was a Parsi Tehmina Adaranvala, who was also Vice President of the International Council of Nurses

.

Indian’s first Field Marshal is a Parsi, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

The first Indian Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services was General Masters. In the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Aspi Engineer was the first Indian D.F.C and his brothers are among the most highly decorated members of the Air Force.

Minoo Engineer was the second most decorated officer of India with the D.F.C, M.V.C, PVSM and Padma Bhushan. Admiral Jal Cursetji was the first Parsi Naval Chief.

The first Indian to win the D.S.O in World War I was Kursetji, a Captain and Doctor in the Indian Medical Service. He rose to be the first Indian to hold two star rank as a Major General in World War II.

The Border Security Force was founded by K F Rustomji, a distinguished policeman and Research and Analysis Wing headed by Noshir Suntook while Brig. J F Dalal rose to be Surveyor General of India. These are only some of the well known personalities who have served the Nation in the allied services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LITERATURE

SCIENTISTS

BANKERS

Gujarati literature had outstanding Parsi poets e.g. Khabardar and novelists Pirojsha Marzban and Sir Rustam Masani. Ratan Marshall of Surat continues the tradition even today.

In English Dina Mehta, Keki Daruwalla, Gieve Patel, Adil Jussavalla, Perin Bharucha have been followed by internationally renowned Parsi writers such as Rohinton Mistry, Firdaus Kanga, Bapsi Sidhwa, Farokh Dhondhy, to name only a few who have contributed in the world of literature.

Renowned scientists include the father of India’s Atomic programme Dr. Homi Bhabha, Padma Bhushan Prof. D N Wadia, FRS who explored and established the science of geology in India.

N A Moos who founded the Colaba Alibag observatory, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Dr. H N Sethna under whose leadership the first Indian satellite Aryabhatta was launched in 1975.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pioneers in Banking include the brothers Vicajee and Pestonjee of Hyderabad in the eighteenth century. The silver coin "P.V." or Peshtanshahi Sikka is named after them.

Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala founded the Central Bank of India while A D Shroff, Cooverji Bhabha and other men and women continue to play a vital role in Indian banking.

 

 

JOURNALISTS AND

NEWSPAPERS

SOCIAL ACTIVISTS AND EDUCATION

SPORTS

Kabraji in 1842 was the first Indian to be elected by the British Institute of Journalists.

The tradition of Parsi journalists has been continued by R K Karanjia of Current, D F Karaka founder of Blitz, A D Gorwalla’s Opinion.

C R Irani is Managing Director The Statesman and winner of various international awards, including the renowned Magsasay Award.

Bachi Karkaria and Behram Contractor are read across the country.

Jehangir Patel’s Parsiana is a pioneer in ethnic journalism.

The Bombay Samachar founded in 1822 is the oldest extant daily of Asia, while the Jame-Jamshed founded in 1832 and Kaiser-i-Hind continued Parsi journalism..

Renowned social activists include Sir Rustom Masani, Dr. Jal Balsara, Lady Hirabai Jehangir, Dinbhai Patuck, Mary Clubwalla Jadhav, founder of Bapnu Ghar for women in distress.

As educationists they have been founders of the Girton High School, the Bharda School, Boys Town, Nasik as well as Schools for the disabled and mentally challenged, Happy Home Blind School, the Home for Children in need of Special Care, Technical Training and Rehabilitation Centres across the country.

The Ratan Tata Institutes, provide employment opportunities to the needy, while The Tata Institute of Social Sciences is world famous.

The first Indian cricket club was founded in 1848 by Parsis.

Polly Umrigar Nari Contractor, Farrokh Engineer are some well known name while Diana Edulji has captained the All Indian Women’s Cricket team.

In hockey, body building, athletics, cycling, sailing and squash Paris have made a contribution.

J M Marker was world squash Champion from 1903 to 1911.

Paris have made their mark in car racing and adventure sports among other achievements in the world of sport.

 

 

 

 

OTHERS

In Architecture, Parsis have been pioneers across India, the first Indian woman Architect was a Parsi Perin Mistri.

In advertising Selvel and Inter- Publicity are the giants among many others.

Travel Agencies, Couriers, Tea-plantations, Horticulture, Oil Explorations, The Railways, Accountancy Firms, Electricity companies, Insurance, and Mill machinery all benefited from Parsi enterprise.

Research institutes and in all fields of Administration from the time of Mughal Court to the Indian Civil Service and the Indian Administrative Service, Parsis have served the Nation.

Scholars such as the orientalist K R Cama, pioneered Asian philisophical and religious research, a tradition continued in diverse fields including Art history where historian and Lalit Kala Chairman Karl Khandalwala interpreted and pioneered art studies and created a resurgence of interest in Indian art.

Giants among religious scholars include Dastur Dr. Dhalla, Sanjana, Kanga, Taraporewalla, Sir Jivanji Modi and Dastur Minocher-Homji.

While remembering the leaders let us not forget the vast numbers of Parsis in what was called the Upper Subordinate Services during British days who manned railways, ships, ship-chandling, Post and telegraphs, the Reserve Services, the Mint etc. They were ginning and weaving masters, accountants and book keepers all creating through their manpower the infrastructure of Modern India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V

METHODOLOGY

ACTIVITY

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

TECHNICIANS

Research.

Collection and collation of data.

Completion of the Project started by the Late Shri. Homi Talyarkhan to create a book on Parsis in Professional Life.

Microfilm and gather archival material.

Interviews, Digi-Beta recording for inclusion in CD-ROM.

Book publication.

Historical and archival research and collation of data.

Interviews.

Exploration of corporate sector and administrative service, Government of India records.

Reprinting of Books already available on aspects of this topic.

Collection of photographs of archival importance to the nation.

Book publication and marketing.

Microfilm of essential information regarding Parsis in the Professions.

Audio, Digi-Beta recording, additions to CD-ROM.

Researchers, Authors, Editor, Publisher, Filmmaker, Microfilm technicians.

FINANCIAL ASPECTS

Costing will take into account research, documentation, microfilming, collection of material, travel cost. The film-makers costing and the re-printing programme will also be included.

The publication of a book as the fourth in the Parsi Series will also have be worked out.