Parsi Reform Movement Modernizing Zoroastrianism, Empowering Women, and Advancing Education

Parsi Reform Movement : Modernizing Religion, Empowering Women & Education

The Parsi reform movement in India began in the nineteenth century as a social and religious movement. Its goals included modernizing and reforming the Zoroastrian religion and community, as well as improving the status of women and education. Individuals such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Behramji Malabari, and Naoroji Furdoonji led the movement. The major Parsi socio-religious associations are:

Parsi Religious Reform: Modernizing Zoroastrianism in 19th Century

Under the direction of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and Shariatullah of Bengal, the first indications of a Muslim awakening emerged in the early 19th century. This was taking place as a result of Christian missionaries, the Western intellectual impact, and contemporary education. They, therefore, committed themselves to improving Islam and fostering Islamic learning.

• The Parsi Religious Reform Organization was founded in Bombay in 1851 by Furdunji Naoroji and S.S. Bengalee with support from K.N. Kama.
• Its secretary was S.S. Bengali, and its president was Furdunji Naoroji.
• Editor of the Fam-i-Famshid, a journal devoted to defending Zoroastrianism in the 1840s, was Naroji Furdunji.
• In 1850, he also released a number of pamphlets and the novel Tarika Farthest.
• All of these events led to the emergence of a socioreligious movement that sought to codify the Zoroastrian faith and alter Parsi society.
• A few educated Parsis created the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Parsi Reform Association) in 1851.
• In 1850, Bengali published the monthly Jagat Mitra, which was followed by the Jagat Premi in 1851.

Parsi Reform Movement: Educating Girls & Social Change in 19th Century

• This religious reform movement began among the Parsis in Mumbai in the middle of the 19th century.
• They started a journal named Rast Goftar, for social-religious reforms among the Parsis.
• This movement played an important role in the spread of education, especially among girls.

Conclusion

The Parsi reform movement was gaining traction in the 1950s. The movement sought to modernise and reform Zoroastrianism, and its impact on the community was significant. Child marriage, widow remarriage, and other outmoded practices were all outlawed by the movement. It also helped to promote education and women’s rights within the community.

Parsi Reform Movement FAQs

Q1. Who was the most important Parsi reformer?

Ans. A Parsi reformer from Bombay named Naoroji Furdunji lived from 1817 to 1885. He was raised in Bombay after attending school there and was born in Bharuch.

Q2. What changes did the Parsees make?

Ans. Modern ideas and changes were implemented to raise the status of Parsee women. The key issues addressed by the modifications included widow remarriage, raising the legal age of consent for females, and enhancing women’s education.  

Q3. What 7 reform movements were there?

Ans. The antebellum reform movements in America concentrated on a few key issues: temperance, ending debtors’ prisons, pacifism, anti-slavery, ending the death penalty, and improving prison conditions.

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