IV

 

PARSIS IN PUBLIC LIFE - SERVING THE PEOPLE

 

 

While the Parsi contribution to the British as well as the Indian Freedom Movement has been documented, the role of Parsis in politics and in serving the Nation historically goes back much further.

There were Parsi courtiers at the Mughal Court who received favours for deeds and actions performed.

At many local courts, such as Jamnagar and Baroda, Paris were appointed as both Diwans and Treasurers and were valued for their honesty and uprightness. They also functioned as Hakims or Doctors to various Rajas. Historically, the upswing and their entering into public service in large numbers came with the European arrival in India.

The Parsis worked as intermediaries or brokers because they could interact with both Indians and Europeans and had no caste barriers to prevent social interaction.

Thus, their service in both British and pre-British days and after Independence is to be studied as follows:-

 

 

MUGHAL COURT

PRINCELY COURTS

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Research into the Parsi presence at the Mughal Court.

Their service as watch repairers, and their rewards by the Emperors need documentation.

Emperor Akbar’s interaction with the Vada Dastur Meherji Rana in the formulation of his Din-e-Ilahi faith and his interest in the Zoroastrian religion needs study, perhaps, through Mughal Court records.

Besides being Diwans of Jamnagar, Baroda and parts of Gujarat, Parsi Courtiers and advisors served in the States of the Deccan as well as at the Nizam’s court at Hyderabad.

Many plans which improved the lives of the people and the economy of the states were designed by them e.g. the transporting of Deccan cotton to cloth mills at Mumbai.

The Peshtanshahi Sikka of Hyderabad is the only Indian coin to be named after a Parsi as an honour for the services he rendered the Nizam and Hyderabad State.

In the fields of education, social service, reforms, aiding plague victims, the upliftment of women, the trade union movement, the Indian Factory Act and other politically linked reforms, Parsis played a leading role e.g. Bengalee, Malabari.

B.P. Wadia, the Father of the Trade Union Movement (Madras Labour Union). J. N. Mehta of Karachi planned water and drainage systems built hospitals and was called the Un-crowned King of Karachi.

Dadbhai Naoroji, "The Grand Old Man of India", Pherozeshah Mehta of Bombay, Sir Dinshaw Wacha, Sir Dinshaw Petit, Sir Cowasji Jehangir, Sir Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy, Ardeshir Wadia and others provided pioneering social and political service from municipal to state and national levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

NATIONAL LIFE / ADMINISTRATORS

IN FOREIGN LANDS

Starting with Dadabhai Naoroji whom Gandhiji looked upto as a Guru to K F Nariman who was an active participant of the Salt Movement, every part of the freedom struggle has had Parsi participation.

The Indian flag was first designed and unfurled by Madam Cama while R J Ghorkhodu saved Gandhiji’s life in South Africa.

B F Bharucha in 1921 was the Secretary of the Congress along with Nehru and founded the Parsi Rajkiya Sabha to awaken the political conscious in the community.

Among the grand daughters of Dadabhai Naoroji, Perin Captain formed the Rashtriya Stree Sabha while Khurshed Naoroji worked with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan to organise Muslim women for the freedom struggle, both were imprisoned.

Goshi and Nergesh Captain helped the Congress by working quietly behind the scenes. Mithoo Petit, Hilla Furdoonji, Hirabai Tata are unsung heroines of both the freedom struggle and women’s emancipation.

Dr. Gilder, Coovarji Bhabha, Feroze Gandhi, Minoo Masani, Sir Homi Mody, Piloo Mody, Homi Talyarkhan are only some of those who shaped national life.

The life and work of eminent administrators needs to be recorded. One example is Padma Bhushan K.T. Satarawala, Governor of Punjab, & of Goa, who contributed not only to the administrative and political field but also to India’s environmental protection.

The first Indian woman photo-journalist, Homai Vyarewalla’s collection of photographs of pre and post Independence India and of the leaders is an archive of National interest and can be recorded /collated for the Parsi as well as National Archives.

Some books have covered the Parsi contribution to Indian National life. These however need to be updated and in many cases reprinted for easy availability.

The Zoroastrian service to mankind is not limited to the boundaries of India, they have served in politics in many countries.

Iran has benefited by Zoroastrians in politics.

In England Zerbanoo Gifford continues to work for social and political causes.

Freny Ginwalla is at present the Speaker of the South African Parliament.

Further research into contributions in the U.S.A., Australia and other lands of the Parsi Diaspora is needed.

IV

METHODOLOGY

 

 

ACTIVITY

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

TECHNICIANS

Research, collect material and collate.

Conduct interviews.

Reprint out of print material and books on Parsis in politics.

Catalogues of photographic material and clips from old movies to be preserved.

Audio and Digi Beta recordings to be prepared as inputs for the CD Rom.

Production of a book as the third in the Parsi Zoroastrian Heritage Series

Research, collation and cataloging.

Political and social historians to provide inputs.

Audio and Digi Beta recording for Archives and for CD Rom.

Reprinting programme.

Research and collection towards production of book, editing, publication and marketing.

Researchers, Political Historian, Sociologists, Filmmaker, Author, Editor, Publisher.

FINANCIAL ASPECTS

Costing will take into account research, documentation, collection of material, travel cost. The film-makers costing and the re-printing programme will also be included. The publication of a book as a third in the Parsi Series will have be worked out.