Sanjan Day reflections

Sanjan Day was observed by Parsis on November 15, 2023 to commemorate the arrival of their ancestors in India about 1,300 years ago.

India has always been accepting of new additions to the varied spectrum of its complex demography. In his book, Parsis of Ancient India: With References from Sanskrit Books, Inscriptions, etc, Shapurji Kavasji Hodivala writes that the landing took place about 697 AD during the reign of the Chalukya King Vinayaditya of Badami, and that the Hindu ruler who is called Jadi Rana in the Qisse-i-Sanjan was either Vinayaditya’s son Vijayaditya or his cousin Jayashraya, with his headquarters at Navsari.

Iranian Parsis and Indians have a long historical connection. Hindu writers used the word Parasika for the Parsis and Pahlavas for the Parthians or Iranians in general. From a passage in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, we find a complete list of the numerous tribes dwelling in Bharatavarsha or India, among whom the Parasikas and Pahlavas are listed.

Indeed, Parsis lived in ancient India long before the refugees arrived after the Arab invasion of their homeland.

ARUNANSH B. GOSWAMI

New Delhi

arunanshbgoswami@gmail.com