Parsi

(Redirected from Parsis)

Categories: Disambiguation | Zoroastrianism | Indian culture | Ethnic groups of Pakistan

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A Parsi is:

  • A person from Pars (the middle-Persian word for Fars), a region now within the geographical boundaries of Iran, and is roughly the original homeland of the Persian people. The word Persia itself derives from Persis, the Greek form of Pars.

OR

  • A member of the close-knit Zoroastrian community from or in India, who are descendants of people who, in the 8th century or thereabouts, emigrated to GujaratIndia from Persia to escape religious persecution (also known as a Parsee. Parsis are found in South Asia and throughout the diaspora.

Parsi Zoroastrians follow the monotheistic religion of Zoroastrianism. Followers of Zoroastrianism also include those who are directly of Iranian origin as well.

Parsis speak a dialect of the Gujarati language, and for hundreds of years were an agrarian people with some trading activity as well. However, under British colonialism, many Parsis were encouraged to move from Gujarat to Bombay, where the majority of Parsis in India now reside.

Parsis are a socioeconomically diverse community, but many have wielded considerable influence in Indian public life, leading to public assumption that they are uniformly wealthy and educated. Under British colonialism in India, which favored various minorities as a devisive strategy, Parsis were given extra access to education and jobs. Many Parsis did indeed become wealthy, educated, and influential -- but many of these, such as Dadabhai Naoroji, used their influence to further India's independence, and decrease its dependence on other nations.

Many Parsis in India, contrary to public assumptions, are not well off-- but rather, live in meager subsistance, relying on private welfare housing and assistance created by wealthier Parsis and the community trust funds they initiated. These include Parsis who live in urban areas, as well as rural Gujarat.

The Parsi population in South Asia and the diaspora is decreasing, mainly because of strictures against conversion to the religion, especially in India and Pakistan. Indian census data (2001) records 69,601 Parsis in India, with a concentration in and around the city ofBombay. There are thought to be about 5,000 Parsis in Pakistan. It is thought that if numbers decrease further, the Indian government may accord the Parsi community the status of scheduled tribe. There was a rumor that this happened in 2004, which would provide them with special protection and direct representation in Parliament.

The number of Parsis worldwide is estimated to be less than 100,000. Estimates of the total worldwide Zoroastrian population range from 150,000 to 250,000 -- including about 25,000 in North America. NOTE: the estimated number of Parsis is often confused with the number of total Zoroastrians in the world; it is NOT the same.

Well-known Parsis in India include the Tatas, India's most successful business family. Those in the diaspora include the late singer-musician of the rock group Queen Freddie Mercury, conductor Zubin Mehta, cultural theorist Homi Bhabha, screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala, and authors Bapsi Sidhwa and Rohinton Mistry.

Note: All Parsis are followers of the Zoroastrian religion, but not all Zoroastrians are Parsis--there are also Iranian and Central Asian Zoroastrian communities.


See also the article Persian language where "Parsi" is:

  • The Persian language term for the Persian language itself.
  • The Persian language term for a speaker of the Persian language.

"Parsee" is the British colonial English spelling for "Parsi".

Contents

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Prominent Parsis known globally

Image:Parsi wedding portrait with Dastur MN Dhalla.jpg
Parsis in traditional dress
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Prominent Parsis in Hong Kong

In early days of Hong Kong, many parsees sought opportunities in the city.

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Prominent Parsis in India

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See also

Parsis with Wikipedia articles

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External links

nn:Parsarar