Reform Movements by Parsis, Introduction, History and Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha

Reform Movements by Parsis began in Mumbai in the middle of the 19th century. Read all about Reform Movements by Parsis, History and Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha for UPSC Exam.

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Reform Movements by Parsis

Read all about Reform Movements by Parsis. Zoroastrians were persecuted in their native Iran, therefore in the tenth century, a considerable number of them fled to India’s west coast. They prospered over the years as a commercial community. Even though it was a small village, the nineteenth-century reform movements had an impact on it.

A group of Parsis with English education established the Rahnumai Madayasnan Sabha (Religious Reform Association) in 1851 with the goal of “regeneration of the social conditions of the Parsis and the restoration of the Zoroastrian faith to its pristine purity.” Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K. R. Cama, and S. S. Bengalee were the movement’s leaders. This article has all the details about Reforms Movement by Parsis for the candidates preparing for UPSC or Civil Service Examination.

Read More: Self-Respect Movement

Reform Movements by Parsis History

Furdunji Naoroji and S.S. Bengalee created the Parsi Religious Reform Association in Bombay in 1851 with funding provided by K.N. Kama. Its president was Furdunji Naoroji, and its secretary was S.S. Bengali. In the 1840s, Naroji Furdunji was the editor of the Fam-i-Famshid, a publication dedicated to upholding Zoroastrianism. In 1850, he also released the novel Tarika Farthest and other pamphlets.

A socio-religious movement that aimed to codify the Zoroastrian faith and transform Parsi society was born as a result of all these occurrences. A small number of educated Parsis established the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha in 1851. Bengali began publishing a monthly periodical called Jagat Mitra in 1850, followed by the Jagat Premi in 1851. Rast Goftar, the sabha’s journal, served as the movement’s primary voice.

The leaders were against infant marriage, the use of astrology, and extravagant betrothal, wedding, and death rites. However, the Sabha’s efforts split the Parsis community into two groups: those who supported drastic reform and those who supported just minor adjustments to rituals and customs. The latter group was represented by the Raherastnumi Mazdayasnan, who stood in opposition to the radicals.

Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha

A small group of well-educated Parsis established the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Parsi Reform Society) with support from KN Kama. The Sabha and its leaders worked to improve the Parsi community while waging a struggle against the deep-lying orthodox inclinations in the faith. The official newspaper of Sabha was Rast Goftar (The “Truth Teller”), an Anglo-Gujarati publication managed by Dadabhai Naoroji.

They opposed traditional norms surrounding marriage and social position as well as social consciousness that discouraged girls and women from pursuing higher education. In other sections, infant marriage was a social ill that was also addressed. They also questioned the employment of astrology and other similar disciplines, as well as the elaborate ceremonies at weddings, funerals, and royal marriages.

Read More: Temple Entry Movement

Parsi Reform Movements UPSC

The Reform Movements by Parsi played a significant role in the nation’s socioreligious reform movement in the 19th century. It was one of the first efforts from within a community to ameliorate the condition of women and to abandon illogical religious parctices. The role of the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha and its leaders Naoroji Furdunji, Dadabhai Naoroji, S.S Bangalee was crucial in this effort. Read all the details about Parsi Reforms Movements in this article for UPSC.

Read about: Civil Disobedience Movement

FAQs

What were the reform movements among Parsis and Sikhs?

The important Parsi movement was Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha and the important Sikh movements were Nirankari, Namdhari, Kuka Movement and Akali Movement.

Who was the leading reformer of Parsis?

Naoroji Furdunji (1817–1885) was a Parsi reformer from Bombay. He was born at Bharuch and educated at Bombay, becoming a teacher.

What were the reforms among the Parsees?

To improve the status of Parsee women, contemporary concepts and modifications were adopted. Some of the main issues of the changes included widow remarriage, raising the marriageable age for girls, and improving women's education.

What are the 5 reform movements?

Key movements of the time fought for women's suffrage, limits on child labor, abolition, temperance, and prison reform.

What were the 7 reform movements?

The reform movements that arose during the antebellum period in America focused on specific issues: temperance, abolishing imprisonment for debt, pacifism, antislavery, abolishing capital punishment, amelioration of prison conditions.