Parsi Reform Movement

Parsi Reform Movement: Shaping Zoroastrian Society in 19th Century Bombay

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 Reform Movement 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 Reform Movement.
• A few educated Parsis created the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Parsi Reform Movement Association) in 1851.
• In 1850, Bengali published the monthly Jagat Mitra, which was followed by the Jagat Premi in 1851.

Conclusion

The Parsi creed was revised, along with the ceremonies and practises of the religion. The purdah was abolished, the marriage age was raised, and other social reforms were enacted in an effort to improve the position of Parsi women. The Parsi eventually became Indian society’s most Westernized group. They were crucial to both India’s industrialization and nationalism movement.

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