The Qissa multiplied

One often narrates the journey of the Zoroastrian migration from Iran to India and the refugees’ subsequent sojourn in a foreign land. But what is not as equally well-known is how often this phenomenon has been replicated in the past three centuries. Aside from the Qissa (story) of Sanjan there are also the qissas of China, Aden, Zanzibar, England, Singapore, North America, Australia/New Zealand and the Middle East. Though Iran is the motherland of the religion, aside from a brief time when the Reza Shah Pahlavi reigned and invited Zoroastrians to return, nearly all the migrants from India fled viewing the country as a theological and despotic state.

Most emigrants leave their home country to better their lot materially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Others do so to merely stay alive. Many risk their lives in the quest. Even the initial Zoroastrian migrants must have faced great imperilments whether traversing sea or land. Storms, pirates, sickness, low stocks of water and food would have resulted in loss of lives and material wealth. Crossing overland would expose one to bandits, rough terrain, dense forests. Disease and scrounging for food and shelter en route would have diverted much of their energies. Many would have died along the way. The trip of around 2,500 to 3,000 km must have taken months, if not a year. Several times they may have lost their way. Only the hardiest must have survived. The Qissa-i-Sanjan talks of a storm at sea being calmed by prayers. But nature’s fury is not contained by prayers.

Even today, boats full of migrants drown crossing treacherous waters. Those who reach distant shores are often unwelcome. They risk being deported elsewhere or if they manage to stay are subject to verbal and even physical abuse. Anti-immigrant sentiment in countries like Britain (recall Brexit), the USA (the Donald Trump presidency), Hungary, Sweden and now Italy have led to right wing, sometimes fascist governments being elected to power. The Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh fled to escape genocide unleashed by the brutal Burmese military junta. They are not welcome in India (nor, for that matter, are Muslims who have resided in the country for more than a millennium)! Over the last few centuries, fear and persecution have become the driving forces.

For Parsis wanting to venture elsewhere, the motivating factors have been security, economics, commerce, education, employment, an enhanced standard of living and yearning for adventure. Religion does not feature much. Their first option is for countries where English is spoken; the second appears to be nations that are democratic. These are the environs in which modern day Zoroastrians have flourished. Of course liberal democracies can turn fascist and bulldoze the constitutional provisions that protect minorities. Then there is the possibility of regime change. When the Japanese invaded British-ruled Burma during World War II, the Parsis and others fled as best they could, some in cars, carriages and even on foot. When the British left Aden, so did the Parsis. The Parsis, if anything, are survivors. They know when it’s time to adapt, leave or gauge better prospects elsewhere.

In India in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, many Parsis sought to relocate abroad. Several Parsis would come to the Parsiana office asking for the addresses of overseas Zoroastrian associations that could possibly assist them. It was also not unusual for older Parsis to counsel youngsters to settle abroad claiming India was going communist. Thirty years later India is still a democracy (of sorts) with a (somewhat) free economy, news media and judiciary. Some of those settled overseas look back at India with yearning. The West may offer a higher standard of living but the closeness of family, community and friends is greater here.

The Qissa-i-Sanjan is the only written account of the migration from Iran to India, though penned around 600 years after the event. It is not relied upon as a historic treatise, but then very little on ancient Zoroastrian history is documented. If the Qissa story is a myth, even more fanciful stories of the early migrants such as sweetening the bowl of milk sent by the fictional king have been added to the legends. It’s not even narrated in the Qissa. Such is the ingeniousness of the Parsi story fabricators. The far-fetched tale has also been claimed by several other migrant communities. Like most content on social media today, the episode is devoid of truth. How many Parsis on landing initially in England would have had an opportunity to meet royalty, much less present them with sugar or mithais (sweetmeats)? But despite their more mundane arrival, over the course of time three Parsis were elected to the British Parliament. In modern times this would be akin to non-Parsis being elected as trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet! Host countries require a diverse, multicultural pool of talent if they are to prosper. They need newcomers to replenish their aging and depleting numbers.

In appreciation of the contribution of minorities to the culture, enterprise, richness and diversity of the host country, religious leaders of all faiths were invited to attend the funeral of the much loved and highly regarded Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey (Imagine non Parsis in a bungli at Doongerwadi. The electromagnetic fields would go haywire!). Even more reassuring than their presence at the solemn occasion are the sentiments expressed by members of the Royal family.

The late Queen had noted the English Church is woven into "the fabric of this country… It has created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely." King Charles III, on assuming the throne, reiterated the message: "I have always thought of Britain as a ‘community of communities’…It is (my) duty to protect the diversity of our country, including protecting (the) religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs… My Christian beliefs have love at their very heart." It is those values of love and compassion that have permitted the Zoroastrians and others to survive and thrive in the multiple diasporas originating from Iran and India. While the King’s sentiments are not shared by all his citizens, the Zoroastrians are too insufficient in numbers to arouse animosity. Small sometimes can be beautiful. Size does matter.