A century in the capital: How Delhi’s Parsis mark 100 years of community, faith and philanthropy

Delhi's Parsi community celebrates a century of heritage, faith, and philanthropy, honoring its rich history and enduring legacy.

The Parsi community shares a deep-rooted relationship with Mumbai (then Bombay), where much of its history unfolded. Concentrated largely in older neighbourhoods such as Colaba, Parsis were among the city’s earliest builders and traders. “Several streets were named by Parsis, who were instrumental in shaping the city. There was a time when the community’s population ran into a few lakhs, with Bombay emerging as a natural hub because of its port,” says Adil Nargolwala, president of Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA). 

Delhi, however, rarely figures in conversations about Parsi heritage — perhaps because of numbers. While Mumbai is home to nearly 40,000 to 50,000 Parsis, Delhi’s community stands at roughly 500. Yet the capital’s connection with the community is older than many realise. 

Nargolwala notes that during Emperor Akbar’s reign, the Mughal court became aware of the Parsi community. Known for his curiosity about different faiths to create the Din-i-Ilahi, Akbar is believed to have met Meherji Rana of Navsari, the community’s chief priest. “He invited him to his courts in Delhi and Agra and granted a royal charter of several hundred acres of land,” he adds.

About 1,300 years ago, facing persecution in Persia (now Iran), the Parsis had migrated in order to protect both themselves and their faith. Their journey eventually led them to settle across Gujarat, Karachi, and Bombay.

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By the time Delhi was established as the capital — first under Shah Jahan and later consolidated during British rule — the Parsis were already present in India. While there is no formal documentation of their interactions with Delhi’s residents during this period, oral histories and community narratives suggest their presence and engagement in the city.