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"Today we are going to witness history.” These sentiments in English were reiterated by different speakers in Hindi and Marathi to usher in the Centre for Avesta-Pahlavi Studies (CAPS) at the University of Mumbai on March 5, 2024. Prior to the bhoomi poojan (offering prayers to Mother Earth and the Almighty before beginning construction work) ceremony for CAPS at the Mumbai University campus at Kalina, representatives from the University, the Union and State government and the Zoroastrian community addressed those assembled at the Green Technology Auditorium. 

A mere announcement in circulation on WhatsApp groups indicating that those desirous of attending should register their name with Ervad Cyrus Darbari saw over 100 community members reach the Auditorium after wending their way through the unending maze of roadways and intersections on the campus. The most dedicated among them were perhaps the gaggle of middle aged to senior women who have completed the certificate course or are yet learning Avestan under the tutelage of Darbari and others. 

For them and others it was reassuring to hear Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, minister of Higher and Technical Education, Textiles and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, announce that CAPS should be functional within a year and the new edifice completed by 2025.

  Dr Ajay Bhamare; inset: proposed Centre for Avesta-Pahlavi Studies at the Kalina complex

"My gratitude to Mumbai University for the alacrity with which we are bringing to life something that was diffused as a process of learning over two decades ago. My gratitude is not only as a minister but also as someone who has close family ties with the community,” commended Smriti Zubin Irani, minister of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Government of India (GOI) in her riveting speech in English and Hindi. Although she joined the function half an hour after it had started, her heartwarming speech won over the audience, among whom many were diehard orthodox Zoroastrians. She is married to Zubin Irani of Dahanu.

"Much has been said about the language, but the import of it and the impact of it is yet to be (understood),” she stated. When referring to the community’s past, the sugar in the milk myth is oft times repeated but few know that when Muhammad bin Tughlaq attacked Sanjan, nearly 1,500 Parsis in support of the Hindu ruler picked up weapons which they had cast aside on arriving in India to save the land. "(Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw is not an exception. He is the rule to being a Parsi. When needed, they are peace loving, when desired they can also take up arms to protect this pious and holy land,” she informed those in the gathering who were not familiar with Parsi history in India.

To protect their sacred fire from Tughlaq’s reinforced army that returned to plunder Sanjan, Parsis had taken shelter in Mount Bahrot. Their consecrated fire, the Iranshah is now housed in Udvada on the Gujarat coast. Sanjan is in Gujarat but Mount Bahrot is in Maharashtra, she clarified. Referring to its "historic significance, cultural heritage… a very important part of community legacy” that needs protection, she urged the government of Maharashtra "as a minister, as a woman, as a mother of Parsi children… to develop infrastructure around Mount Bahrot so that more Parsis from across India and the world can pay respects there… If such a proposal comes from Maharashtra, we in the Ministry Of Minority Affairs (MOMA), GOI will 100% fund it.”

Irani further requested punchayets and anjumans around India to collaborate with the government of Gujarat in developing infrastructure around the holy spots in Sanjan so that even non-Parsis can have "a glimpse of the rich culture and heritage that Zoroastrians speak of and what it actually embodies. Most people do not know these stories. These are not fabricated stories but real stories of courage. Before these stories are no longer told, we need to institutionalize that aspect of Zoroastrian history in our country,” she recommended while promising support from MOMA. 

  Dignitaries witness bhoomi poojan

She further requested those in the community who had access to manuscripts and old prayer books to share them with the University to better serve the needs of the Centre. She considered them important not only for their literary content but their scientific importance having known of manuscripts that reflect on facets of astronomy and surgery. She was hopeful CAPS will "bring to light the power of manuscripts that are not in the public domain right now.” Being an architect of the Government’s National Education Policy that has as one of its thrusts international and domestic collaboration between academic institutions, she felt that since universities in Germany, Switzerland, England offer Avestan courses, possibilities of collaboration should be explored. Not only the literary aspect of Avestan can be studied but also its scientific scope, she recommended.

Knowing of the proximity of Sanskrit to Avestan, she declared, "I can proudly say that for my children’s navjote I taught them Ashem Vohu, Yatha Ahu Vairyo and Kem na Mazda. I could bring them to the precipice of the religion before dasturs like you could take them onwards on their spiritual journey. I could read and teach them possibly because I have studied Sanskrit. When we speak about the connection between ancient languages I am one of those persons who have practiced the magnificence of that bridge.”

She briefly enumerated the salient features of the revamped Jiyo Parsi scheme that aims to increase the numbers of the Parsi community by giving support of Rs 10 lakh to assist couples to conceive, Rs 2.5 lakh for a child born with a medical challenge, Rs 8,000 per month to a child until he/she completes 18 years of age, Rs 10,000 per month to parents aged over 60 years who are supporting a family. Since the government is hoping to reach families in need across the country, it will be incumbent on "every state government and every district collector to identify such people who need help.” She wanted this message to be disseminated across the spectrum through "WhatsApp groups that can set discussions on fire… Jiyé Parsi aur badhé Parsi (may Parsis live long and prosper) that is the Prime Minister’s clarion call.”

Just prior to Irani’s speech, Patil’s discourse in Hindi and Marathi referred to language and learning, not only imparting knowledge but teaching the difference between right and wrong. Unfortunately, we have lost 220 languages in India in the last 50 years. Speaking in one’s mother tongue gives a sense of belonging, besides helping preserve literature, arts, drama… When he reminded Irani that Maharashtra does not generally appeal to the Union Government for help, she responded saying that whenever an appeal has come from Maharashtra, the Centre has never declined!

University undertaking

The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University of Mumbai and MOMA "reflects the University’s dedication to promote cultural diversity and preserve Indian languages and culture,” remarked University vice chancellor Prof (Dr) Ravindra Kulkarni. To him, "Bharat represents an amalgam of rich traditions, values and culture making it a truly unique nation with the ambitious objective of achieving Viksit Bharat (transforming India into a developed world by 2047, 100 years after Independence).” The University’s contribution to Viksit Bharat and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India Great India) will be "preserving and promoting the illustrious Parsi Zoroastrian culture to make it an integral part of India’s diverse heritage.” 

The courses offered at CAPS will include open electives, certificate, diploma, degree, postgraduate as well as PhD research program and minor degree program in keeping with the National Education Policy. The courses will cover the entire spectrum of Avesta-Pahlavi lexicon and literature. The Centre’s mission includes preservation, documentation and archiving of Avesta Pahlavi language, literature and culture through various research and learning activities. CAPS has already received enquiries from the University of Toronto regarding collaboration on topics concerning research of Parsi culture. 

To acquaint the guests with the checkered history of the Mumbai University that was founded in 1857 along with the layout and plans of CAPS, an audiovisual was screened. "The establishment of the Centre is an attempt to acknowledge the highest services and contributions of members of the Parsi community towards the development of the University.” The well-known alumni of the University included Cornelia Sorabji, Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Jamsetji Tata, Ardeshir Godrej and Dr Homi Bhabha. Parsi benefactors included Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy who founded the J. J. College of Art and Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney who funded the Convocation Hall that is today rated as a Grade I heritage structure.

 "Students and scholars alike will get an opportunity to understand the nuances of Avestan texts and gain a deeper understanding of their significance. CAPS’ mission extends beyond academia. It seeks to foster a greater appreciation for Avestan culture within the academic community and the wider public. From hosting cultural events and exhibitions to collaborating with international scholars the Centre is poised to become a hub of scholarly exchange and cultural celebrations,” mentioned the accompanying commentary. The state of the art building will have a language laboratory, multimedia center, seminar hall, library and reading room, gallery, research center, computer laboratory. 

Along with a bouquet of flowers, a replica of Rajabai Tower, symbolizing knowledge, was presented by the chancellor and Dr Ajay Bhamare, pro vice chancellor to all the speakers and Vikas Chandra Rastogi, principal secretary, Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra and Jitendra Singh Raje, joint secretary, MOMA. Members of the Parsi community who were likewise felicitated were Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada and Nadir Godrej, chairman and managing director, Godrej Industries Ltd. Everyone in the audience including six trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (erstwhile chairwoman Armaity Tirandaz was present although the current chairman Viraf Mehta was not) seated in the front row was presented a rose. 

Whether it was Dr Shivaji Sargar who proposed a vote of thanks, or the speakers before him, the persistence of the team led by Dr Adil Malia, Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan, Darbari, Shiraz Kapadia, Shirin Contractor, Meher Contractor and Dr Kermaan Daruwalla was repeatedly acknowledged as contributing to the conception of CAPS.

While Irani stated CAPS was aligned to the Prime Minister’s National Education Policy, the vice chancellor considered it as representative of the Viksit Bharat and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programs and the audiovisual described it as the Government’s Jan Vikas Program. As confirmed the master of ceremonies Dr Nitin Arekar, "The establishment of the Centre will strengthen relations between the Parsi community and the University.” 

The actual bhoomi poojan could be witnessed only by those on the dais and a select few.

Pride for the Parsis

"Thrilled and excited to learn about this landmark event,” Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal had sent a message for the occasion that was read by Darbari. "It is a time of great pride for the Parsi Irani community and for me to know that the University of Mumbai will finally…join the ranks of the world’s great universities for the study of Zoroastrianism. The scriptural study of authentic Zoroastrian literature in Avesta, its commentary in Pahlavi, and religious authentic theology are the needs of the hour… It is said in our holy scriptures (Vendidad) that if a person comes in search of wisdom, we shall teach them the beneficial teachings of the faith.” 

Alluding to scholar priests like Kotwal, the late Dastur (Dr) Hormazdyar Mirza and Bajan who had studied Avestan when it was offered at St Xavier’s College until 21 years ago, Dastoor acknowledged that it is "thanks to MOMA, our dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government of Maharashtra and the University of Mumbai” that this ancient language has been recognized once again. "It would have been difficult for our Avesta to be translated if Vedic Sanskrit had not been there.” Urging community members in India and overseas to take the utmost advantage of this new facility, he reiterated that courses will be available online and also through distance learning. Hoping it would be one of the best centers he looked forward to CAPS collaborating with universities in Germany, London and Switzerland. 

"We are sure the Centre will promote historical understanding and cultural development and remind us of the intertwining of Mumbai, Parsis and education,” said Godrej. When Sir William Jones who was familiar with Latin and Greek came to India in the 1700s and learnt Sanskrit he quickly saw the similarities and hypothesized a common root, stated Godrej to explain how the term Indo European languages was adopted. The Avestan language survived because of the Zoroastrian holy book, and was understood because Sanskrit had been studied continuously and preserved in all its phases by the Hindus, reminded Godrej.

In his poetic style he touched upon the arrival of Parsis in India, how they progressed in this country, and added:

"And Bombay is where they thrived

Their charity had built this town 

And this earned them much renown.

In many different fields they thrived

Amazingly excelled in all 

although their numbers were quite small.

In time they spread far and wide,

accomplished much everywhere. 

The diaspora gives us more pride 

for they have surely done their share.

Perhaps because of this diffusion 

you may find some confusion.

The branches now spread everywhere

but are our roots firmly there?

Should we try and proliferate 

in spite of all that might encumber 

our fine attempts to raise our number?

Or should we try and propagate 

our beliefs and thoughts far and wide 

to outlive our demographic slide?”