The Parsis, originally from Iran, migrated to India about 900 years ago. This they did to save their religion, Zoroastrianism, from invading Arabs who proselytized Islam. However, in 1689-90, when a severe plague had struck down most of the Europeans, the Siddi Chief of Janjira made several attempts to re-possess the islands by force, but the son of the former, a trader named Rustomji Dorabji Patel (1667-1763), successfully warded off the attacks on behalf of the British with the help of the 'Kolis', the original fisher-folk
inhabitants of these islands. The remnants of the Koli settlements can still be seen at Backbay reclamation, Mahim, Bandra, Khar, Bassien and Madh island.
The Zoroastrian Towers of Silence on Malabar hill were built by Seth Modi Hirji Vachha in 1672.The first fire-temple was also built in the same year by Seth Vachha opposite his residence at Modikhana within the British fort. Both of the these structures can still be seen today although they have been expanded and strengthened.
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Prakash Thorat's post
The first famous Parsi of Bombay ( Mumbai)
The Parsis arrived in Bombay and built their Agiary in Fort in 1671. One Kharsedji Pochaji, also, a resident of Broach, was a contractor in 1664 for the supply of common labourers and baskets, required for the building of the town wall for the Fort, the construction of which was started by second English Governor Jerold Aungier and Completed by Mr Boone almost after sixty years.
Garcia d'Orta, the Portuguese botanist, and first European to settle in Bombay when he became the owner of the manor of Bombay in 1538, describes the island as inhabited by the “Naitias or Moors, who came from abroad and mixed themselves with the gentiles (Hindus), by the Curumbins (Kunbis and Agris) who cultivated the fields and sowed them with rice and all sorts of pulse, by the Hortelaos (Malis) who tended the orchards and by the Piaes (peons)” or men-at-arms.” The latter were probably Bhandaris who during the early British period were spoken of as "being bred to arms from their infancy and having a courage and fidelity which may be depended upon.” He also mentions the Parus (Prabhus) “who collect the rents of the King and of the inhabitants and their estates, and are also merchants;" while the Baneanes (Banias), "who are such as fully accept the precepts of Pythagoras," and the Coaris or Esparcis (Parsis).
Rustom Dorabji, First Patel of Bombay.
The first most noteworthy member of the Parsi community of Bombay was Rustom Dorabji, whose unsurpassable contribution was to rescue Bombay. In 1692, the city was stricken by a plague so severe and when the most of English Soldiers struck by the epidemic, that the Siddis of Jangira, the naval armada Chief of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, taking advantage of this circumstance, organized bands of pirates along the Malabar Coast and wrested the city from the British. On his own initiative, this bold Parsi mustered a militia from the local fishermen (Kolis) and drove out the invaders. For this singular feat, Rustomji Dorabji was granted the hereditary title of Patel in perpetuity (Lord or Chief) of Bombay and Sanad was issued to him. He was also placed at the head of fishermen caste and was bestowed with authority to adjudicate civil and religious disputes among them, an authority enjoyed for long by his heirs. Rustom Dorab was known among Parsis as Rustom General. He died at the age of 96 in 1763.
Cowasji Patel Tank Road in Mumbai owes its name to the son of Rustom Dorabji.
It is said that the big tank situated near Marine Quarters, opposite the Money School, was dug during the time of the Portuguese Government, by a waterman for the use of his fellow countrymen, and was hence known after him as Dhobi Talao. Owing to the washing of cloth, the water became quite dirty over time, and in 1839 due to scarcity of water this tank had almost dried up. In April 1839, Framji undertook to have it cleansed and deepened at his own expense at a cost of nearly Rs. 40,000, Framji had the tank thoroughly rebuilt on a larger scale and handed it over to the Government for the public use. In recognition of this noble act the well was henceforth known as “The Framji Cowasji Tank." On the 8th of January 1840 Sir J. R. Carnack, the Governor of Bombay, paid a visit to this newly built tank and also to Framji's Mugbhat Oart ( coconut garden) , He was highly pleased with the arrangement for water supply made by Framji. He in few appropriate words eulogized Mr. Framji's work and presented him with a shawl. In 1852 the water supply to the Native Town was augmented by the conveyance of water from the Framji Cowasji Tank, to a drawing reservoir situated in the centre of the Native Town (at Pydhoni).
Framji was the first Parsi to settle and have property in Salsette (Thane District which then was under Portuguese dominion and came into British hands in 1774). The East India Company gave him several villages there. The tank was filled in later when in 1865; the Bombay Fort and its ramparts were demolished. The present Framjee Cowasjee hall is where existed earlier the Framjee Cowasjee tank
In 1829 Mr. Framji bought the villages of Powai, Tirandaj, Kopri, Saki, Paspoli, and Tungave formerly held by Dr. Scott, a botanist and skillful gardener and in 1833-34 added two villages Kanjur and Vikroli to the estate and spent large sums in sinking wells and introducing exotics. In his estate, was laid orchard of mangoes.
Framji Cowasji was the first first Native of India, who on the 18th of May 1838 ventured to send a present of that sweet and delicious fruit called the Bombay mangoes to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen-Empress. He was Infact recipient of prize of Rs. 30 from Governor, for growing the best Mangoes on the 27th May 1832 in his estate at Powai. The gift carried a letter; “–
To HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,
The improvement and extension of steam navigation have now happily brought your Majesty's dominions at home and your dominions in the Eastern world so closely together, that I venture most humbly and most respectfully to lay at your Majesty's feet some specimens of the celebrated Bombay Mangoes, in the earnest hope that this delicious fruit, which has never been transmitted to Europe may reach your Majesty in a state of preservation and prove acceptable. Such precautions have been adopted to preserve the fruit as appear most efficacious, but if the botanists of your Majesty's dominions at home can prescribe a preferable method, it shall be adopted in the transmission of further supplies of this or any other kind of fruit peculiar to the country which has not hitherto been seen in Great Britain.
Your Majesty's most obedient and faithful, Eastern Subject,
BOMBAY, 18th May 1838. (Sd.) FRAMJI COWASJI.”
4 days ago
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