Parsi Reform Movements
Modern History › Reform Movements and Their Leaders · Topic 12.17
The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Religious Reform Association) was founded in 1851 by English-educated Parsis to regenerate Parsi social conditions and restore Zoroastrianism to its pristine purity. Led by Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama and S.S. Bengalee, it spread its message through the newspaper Rast Goftar.
4 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Reform Movements and Their Leaders
At a Glance
- What it is Reform of Parsi society and the Zoroastrian religion
- Body Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha, 1851
- Leaders Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama, S.S. Bengalee
- Organ Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller)
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Reform Movements and Their Leaders
Where Does It Fit?
This is the seventeenth topic of the category on reform movements and their leaders. The previous topic covered the Deoband School. This topic covers reform among the Parsis. The next topic covers the Sikh reform movements. Previous topic: The Deoband School (Darul Uloom).
How Did Parsi Reform Begin?
The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Religious Reform Association) was founded in 1851 by a group of English-educated Parsis for the regeneration of the social conditions of the Parsis and the restoration of the Zoroastrian religion to its pristine purity. The movement had Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama and S.S. Bengalee as its leaders. The message of reform was spread by the newspaper Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Religious Reform Association) |
| Year | 1851 |
| Founders | A group of English-educated Parsis |
| Aim | Regenerate Parsi social conditions; restore Zoroastrianism to pristine purity |
| Leaders | Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama, S.S. Bengalee |
| Newspaper | Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller) |
What Did the Parsi Reformers Change?
Parsi religious rituals and practices were reformed and the Parsi creed was redefined. In the social sphere, attempts were made to uplift the status of Parsi women by removing the purdah system, raising the age of marriage and promoting education. Gradually, the Parsis emerged as the most westernised section of Indian society.
| Area | Reform |
|---|---|
| Religion | Rituals and practices reformed; creed redefined |
| Women | Purdah removed; marriage age raised; education promoted |
| Outcome | The Parsis became the most westernised section of Indian society |
How Does It Link to Other Reformers?
Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the leaders of the Sabha, became a leading figure of the national movement, and the Parsi reformer B.M. Malabari worked for the Age of Consent Act and founded the Seva Sadan, as told in Reform Movements and the Position of Women and Seva Sadan, Dev Samaj, Dharma Sabha, Bharat Dharma Mahamandala and Radhaswami Movement. The Parsi reform movement, like the Brahmo Samaj in Raja Rammohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj, was led by the English-educated, and used a newspaper to spread its ideas.
As an analytical point, the Parsi case shows that the reform wave was not confined to Hindus and Muslims. Every community that came into contact with Western education produced reformers who tried to purify religion and reform women’s status. The Parsi movement was small in numbers but supplied several leaders who figure in later categories on the national movement, and it fits the general features of Social and Ideological Bases of Reform.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Direct facts The Sabha, 1851, leaders and Rast Goftar are standard Prelims items
- Community coverage It completes the survey of reform among all communities
- Link to leaders Naoroji and Malabari appear in other topics
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Sikh reform movements. Next topic: Sikh Reform Movements.
Key People and Terms
- Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha The Parsi Religious Reform Association of 1851
- Zoroastrianism The religion of the Parsis
- Rast Goftar The newspaper of the Parsi reformers, meaning Truth-Teller
- Pristine purity The original, uncorrupted form of the religion
- Purdah The seclusion of women, which the Parsi reformers removed
- Westernised Influenced by Western ideas and customs
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha, 1851.
- Leaders: Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama, S.S. Bengalee.
- Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller).
- Aim: restore Zoroastrianism to pristine purity.
- Parsis: the most westernised section.
Do Not Confuse With
- Rast Goftar and Indian Spectator Rast Goftar: Parsi reformers’ paper; Indian Spectator: edited by Malabari
- Naoroji Furdonji and Dadabhai Naoroji Two different leaders of the same Sabha
- Parsi reform and Brahmo Samaj Both were led by English-educated reformers and used newspapers
Memory Hook
English-educated Parsis, a Truth-Teller and a purer faith.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for reform among communities other than Hindus. These points add depth.
- Religious purity Restoration of the original Zoroastrian creed
- Women’s status Purdah, marriage age and education
- Modernisation The most westernised community
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Write a note on the Parsi reform movement of the nineteenth century.”
How to Answer
- Origin The Sabha of 1851.
- Leaders and press Naoroji, Cama, Bengalee; Rast Goftar.
- Reforms Religion and women.
- Conclude Its effect on the community.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha?
The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha, or Religious Reform Association, was founded in 1851 by English-educated Parsis to regenerate Parsi social conditions and restore the Zoroastrian religion to its pristine purity, using English education and a community newspaper.
Who were the leaders of the Parsi reform movement?
Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama and S.S. Bengalee were the leaders of the Parsi reform movement. They used the newspaper Rast Goftar, meaning Truth-Teller, to spread the message of reform among the Parsi community.
What was Rast Goftar?
Rast Goftar, meaning Truth-Teller, was the newspaper through which the Parsi reformers of the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha spread their message of religious and social reform among the community in the nineteenth century, so that its ideas reached ordinary Parsi families.
What social reforms did the Parsi movement attempt?
Parsi reformers tried to uplift the status of Parsi women by removing the purdah system, raising the age of marriage and promoting education. They also reformed religious rituals and practices and redefined the Parsi creed.
Why are the Parsis called the most westernised community?
The chapter says that, gradually, the Parsis emerged as the most westernised section of Indian society. This followed the work of English-educated reformers who changed rituals, the status of women and community life, and made them leaders in modern education.
How was the Parsi movement similar to the Brahmo Samaj?
Both were led by English-educated reformers who wanted to purify their religion and improve the status of women, and both used newspapers and associations to spread their ideas. They differed in their communities and in religious background.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha was founded in 1851.
English-educated Parsis founded it.
2 Rast Goftar was the newspaper of the Parsi reformers.
It means Truth-Teller.
3 Dadabhai Naoroji was a leader of the Parsi reform movement.
So were K.R. Cama and S.S. Bengalee.
4 The Parsi reformers favoured the purdah system for women.
They worked to remove purdah.
5 The Parsi reform movement aimed at replacing Zoroastrianism with a new religion.
It aimed to restore it to pristine purity.
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