Transcription

1 EARLY EMPOWERMENT OF PARSI WOMEN by Dr. Homi Dhalla Introduction Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man s superior if nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman Mahatma Gandhi On October 7, 2011, the Nobel Prize Committee in Oslo, Norway, recognized the brave deeds of three remarkable women by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to them. They were Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf of Liberia, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen. They leave behind a legacy of inspiration for future generations. Ban-ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General said, This award could not be better chosen. It underscores the role that women play in the advancement of peace and security, development and human rights. Through this selection, the Nobel Prize Committee has acknowledged that given equal opportunities in governance and development, women draw others children, families, more women into a widening circle of benefits that includes education, healthcare, employment and peace. One empowered woman motivates many others, functioning as she does in an interlocking system of kinship and societal links. Empowered women mean empowered societies. Women have been instrumental in bringing about not only social but also political change. Their indomitable will came to light from the role they played during the Arab Spring. Moreover, when they have led their countries in the capacity of Presidents or Prime Ministers, they have conquered many other frontiers. But is it not ironic, that only 15 women have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize since it was set up in A very prominent personality who was awarded this prize was Mother Teresa in On March 8, 2012, the world celebrated the 101 st International Women s Day. Excerpts from the message of Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General, United Nations on this occasion are relevant. On this International Women s Day, I urge Governments, civil society and the private sector to commit to gender equality and the empowerment of women as a fundamental human right and a force for the benefit of all...gender equality and the empowerment of women are gaining ground worldwide. There are more women Heads of State or Government than ever, and the highest proportion of women serving as Government ministers. Women are exercising ever greater influence in business. More girls are going to school, and are growing up healthier and better equipped to realize their potential Despite this momentum, there is a long way to go before women and girls can be said to enjoy the fundamental rights, freedom and dignity that are their birthright and that will guarantee their well-being. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world s rural areas... It is heart-warming to note that the London 2012 Olympics which commenced on July 27, 2012 were truly gender equal in its history. For the first time in the annals of the Olympics, the 200-plus participating nations were represented by a mixed (men and women) team. 49.7% women athletes took centre stage alongside 50.3% men. This meant that there were more than 5000 female athletes competing in London, which was a significant step forward for the Olympic movement as a whole. And the Americans, in fact, sent more women than men the team comprised of 269 women and 261 men. Considering the present active participation of women in the Olympic Games, it is interesting to observe how insignificant their role was a 100 years back. Baron Pierre De Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games was firmly against women s participation --- he had this to say before the first modern Olympics in 1896: I do not approve of the participation of women in public competitions. In the Olympic Games, their primary role should be to crown the victors. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2012 released by United Nations on July 2, 2012 states that while 11.3% of seats were held in Parliament by women in 1995, the figure rose to 19.7% by India has, unfortunately, not been generous in permitting women to enter the hallowed portals of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha (the Upper House and the Lower House of Parliament).

2 2 The data, released by Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), showed India as ranking 98 in the world for proportion of national Parliament seats held by women. India has recorded only a marginal rise in women MPs from 9.7% in 1991 to 10.96% in Although India has held 15 general elections to the Lok Sabha and is the world s largest democracy, till November 2011 India had only 60 women representatives out of 544 members in the Lok Sabha, and a meager 26 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 241-member Rajya Sabha. However, globally there has been a 75% increase in the number of women MPs between 1995 and Empowerment of women in ancient times The position of women serves as an index to the condition of an age. Several references in Zoroastrian scriptures point to the fact that women enjoyed a high status in ancient Iranian society. Prophet Zarathushtra himself emphasizes gender equality in his teachings (Yasna 46.10). In the Aiwisruthrem Gah prayer, we come across the term nmano paiti and nmano pathni which terms connote the lord of the house and the lady of the house. This shows that a wife enjoyed an equal status at home. The Pahlavi text Madigan-i-Hazar Datistan (the Digest of a Thousand Points of Law) deals exhaustively with the rights of a woman, wife and daughter. Women were allowed to select their own husbands and widows were allowed to re-marry. They could hold property and represent themselves in court. She could legally conduct her husband's case in court. Qualified women were appointed as judges. Some of these women had also evolved to a lofty spiritual stature and hence the Avestan allusion to women saints. It is thus evident from our scriptures that Iranian law firmly upheld numerous rights and privileges of the wife, which for obvious reasons cannot be discussed here in this brief paper. Thus in ancient Iranian society, wives held a high position in the social as well as spiritual spheres, which was not inferior to her husband in anyway. The renowned scholar, Dastur Darab Peshotan Sanjana states, In the Avestan period the position of the Iranian wife was one of equality to that of her husband. (For further details see my paper on the Position of Women in Ancient India and Iran in Cyrus the Great Memorial Volume published by the Iran Culture House, Bombay, 1974). And I am further reminded of the words of that great French savant, Prof. James Darmesteter who had said: The moral victory of Zoroastrianism is the work of a woman, and that no picture of woman is nobler and higher than that which is drawn in the Avesta. After the Zoroastrian migration to India, reports of foreign travelers are relevant. One of these may be cited here. A Portuguese traveler Mandelslo writing in 1638 makes a reference to Parsi women by stating that Their widows can remarry. Adultery and lewdness are the greatest sins which they can commit their women are without comparison more fair and beautiful than those of the country. 2 Factors which aided the empowerment of women 1. The economic activity between the Parsis and the colonial power led to the improvement and status of the whole community. Being traders, this led to the close commercial and intellectual relationship with the British. 2. The clergy of the community did not enjoy a strong position in the community and hence could not influence the thinking of the intelligentsia. In other words, they could not hamper the process of social transformation and the general empowerment of women. 3. Enlightened Parsis leaders did their utmost to encourage girls to be educated. Schools were opened at an early period to facilitate this process. 4. Many Parsi leaders and reformers were progressive, secular and broadminded. 5. During the 19 th century, the process of modernization in the community gathered momentum due to their visiting England. After the first Parsi Nowroji Rustom Manek visited England in , gradually more Parsis proceeded either for education or for their own business with England Foreign travel by Parsi women widened their horizon. As they wrote about their experiences, it also influenced others. The thirst for education accelerated empowerment The most effective instrument of socio-cultural change was the educational system, both for the Indian subcontinent and to a greater degree for the Parsis. The thinking of the British for laying down the

3 3 road-map for the modern British-Indian educational system was reflected very transparently in 1835 by Lord Macaulay. Their aim was to nurture a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern; a class of persons, in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals and in intellect. 4 Again, Dadabhai Naoroji echoed the sentiments of the community when he spoke in London about the English educational system. On April 17, 1868, he stated that it is One of the greatest boons and blessings conferred by England upon India. 5 Furthermore, Percival Spear in his book, India A Modern History writes The educational system was probably the largest single westernizing agency in 19 th century India. 6 The determination to be educated suffused the consciousness of a large part of the community during the latter half of the 19 th century. The setting up of educational institutions by the community helped the Parsis to enjoy the highest rate of literacy among all Indian communities. By 1911, 71% of the Parsis living in Bombay Province were already literate. 7 Not only did the Parsis emphasize the study of English, but by 1862 Cowasjee Jehangir suggested that Latin and Persian as second languages be taught to the Parsis. 8 Moreover, the Parsi residents of Bombay felt a strong responsibility for the members of their community living in Gujarat. As a result, individual Parsis of Bombay initiated and expanded English medium education in Gujarat. In 1863, Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy contributed Rs. 70,000/- for construction of English schools in Navsari, Bilimora and Balsar. 9 In 1870, over 1000 Parsi girls had already had the benefit of a secondary education. 10 In 1872, Sorabjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy contributed Rs. 38,500/- for setting up an English High School in Surat. 11 Dosabhai Karaka informs us that in the report of the Census of 1881, extensive tables regarding education are furnished. Dr. Weir, the author of this report analysis the comparative state of education in 1872 and Commenting on the educational standards of the Parsis, he writes: Examining education according to faith or class, we find education is most extended amongst the Parsi people; female education is more diffused amongst the Parsi population than any other class. 12 In 1884, the Grant Medical College opened its doors for the first time to women. Four Europeans and Eurasians were enrolled together with five Parsis. On completion of their medical studies, they were merely awarded a Certificate of Competence, because the higher studies were not meant for women as per the rules of the University. The first women to be awarded with the honour of achieving the grade of L.M. & S (Licentiate of Medicine & Surgery) was a Parsi by the name of Ms. Freany Kama in In 1898, 46 out of 100 qualified Indian advocates and 40 out of 73 Indian attornies in Bombay were Parsis. In the same year, out of 17 principals of secondary schools in the province of Bombay 7 were Parsis. In 1891, 6 out of 7 Indian surgeons employed in the province were Parsis. 4 out of 12 higher non-english civil servants i in the province were Parsis. 14 The first Indians to be awarded a degree from the University of Bombay were two Parsis ladies. They were the two daughters of the prominent citizen Mr. Ardeshir Framji Vakil. Having passed the Matriculation examination, they obtained admission into the Wilson College. In 1888, they started studying for the B.A. degree which were awarded to them in Ms. Menant informs us that the Franco-Parsi Club (Cercle Litteraire) was founded at a General Assembly of students of the French language, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Pedraza. Mr. F. Patel was elected Treasurer, and Mr. J. E. Davar Hon. Secretary. In addition, it was decided to create a Library of French writings, to promote the appreciation and study of the French language. Thus, in the Fort area, at Rope Walk Lane, there exists in Bombay an interesting French corner; here French is spoken, literature is read and, on occasions, classic and modern plays from the vast repertory, are staged. Parsi ladies willingly act the parts of Celieine and Philaminthe. This interesting trait, shows the extent to which European ways, and better still European outlook, have penetrated in Parsi society. 15 R. K. Sidhwa in his book, Scheme to Remove Poverty and Unemployment from the Parsi Community, (1955) lists 124 charitable educational institutions with assets of Rs. 64 million. 16 Foreign travel widened the horizons of women

4 4 Parsi wives willingly accompanied their husbands to Europe and America. In certain cases, they even went abroad alone to study, for medical treatment and for holidays. An interesting incident of those days was that of Mr. Rustomji Kavasjee Banaji who took the womenfolk of his family to Calcutta. This was recorded in a Calcutta newspaper The Englishman dated August 14, 1838 as follows: This arrival must be regarded as an event in the history of Native Society. It presents the first instance, we believe, of a violation of the habits of seclusion to which the Parsi ladies, in common with those of Hindustan, have hitherto been subjected, and we trust that it may be regarded as the harbinger of a new system of treatment under which all that is bright and fair in this hemisphere may come to fill places in society as useful and important as those which are occupied by the happy and independent dames of the West. Mr. Rustomji Cowasjee deserves, in our opinion, the applause and gratitude of all well-wishers of the cause of civilization in India. 17 On May 3, 1858, Dr. Burjorji Dorabji Cooper accompanied by his wife and one daughter sailed by The Leopold and visited England. The Parsi Prakash refers to this as the first Parsi family traveling to England. 18 In 1868, Bai Bhikhaiji, sister of K. R. Cama and wife of Mr. Dorabji Pestonji Cama traveled across the whole of Great Britain. 19 In 1870, she also traveled to America, Japan and China and described her travels in the Rast Goftar through a nom de plume. Ms. Bomanji Pudumji was the first Parsi lady to visit Portugal. She had the honour of an audience of the King and Queen of Portugal in Lisbon in In 1907, Mrs. Jassawalla, a pioneer in female education among the Parsis was traveling round the world at the age of 78. A report in The Parsi of February 23, 1908 states: Mrs. Dosibai Jassawalla, who is at present in London on her way back to India, finishing her tour round the world in her 78 th year, was one of the most picturesque among the much bejeweled Peeresses in the House of Lords at the opening of Parliament, - says an English contemporary. This venerable lady was the first Parsi girl to receive an English education, and the first among any Indian ladies to be out in English society in India Parsis had their own Journalistic Platform An important factor which went hand in hand with the introduction of western educational institutions in Bombay was a fact that a powerful press existed much before the socio-cultural changes took place in the community. This dimension was an essential forerunner and an agent of social change among the Parsis. As early as 1670, a Parsi by the name of Bhimjee Parikh had through the East India Company brought the first printing press and a printer from England. 21 In 1777, Bombay s first English newspaper, the Bombay Courier was printed in the press of the Parsi Rustomji Keshaspathi. 22 By the time the first Marathi newspaper, Dig-Dursan was published in 1837 and the first Hindu- Gujarati newspaper, Vartaman in Ahmedabad in 1849, there were already four in 1837 and six in 1849 Parsi-Gujarati newspapers in circulation. The oldest newspaper in India, which is still in existence, is The Bombay Samachar, established in 1822 by Fardoonji Marzban. Musical activities Ms. Delphine Menant wrote three copious volumes entitled Les Parsis (The Parsis) in 1898 in Paris and this was translated by Advocate M. M. Murzban into English and published by him in It provides an elaborate and graphic picture of the various facets of Parsi life of that period. She also provides pictorial representations which depict Parsi women in various walks of life. Ms. Avanbai Jasavala is shown in a picture playing the violin in She took music lessons under Prof. Lagatolla of Italy and was the first Parsi lady to pass the Senior Honours Examination of the Trinity College of Music, London in Others interested in Indian music tried to master the dilruba. A trio of three sisters, students of western music played different instruments including the piano as a group. Besides this, there was an orchestra group of amateur Parsi ladies and gentlemen who through their frequent performances were responsible for collecting large sums of money for various charities associated with World War I. 23 Parsis and sports Ms. Menant provides us with interesting information regarding the sporting activities undertaken by Parsi ladies. The illustrations present them playing tennis, cycling and riding. Members of the Golwala family were very keen swimmers.

5 5 Cricket was an extremely popular sport among the Parsis. A fascinating picture shows Parsi women in sarees playing a cricket match against Parsi men. 24 The first Parsi Cricket Club was established in 1850 and Parsi teams were sent to England to play matches. 25 Menant informs us that in 1890, a cricket match was played between the Parsis and Mr. Vernon s English Eleven. The Parsis beat the English team before 15,000 spectators. 26 Another rare picture shows Ms. Hamabai Petit (grand-daughter of Sir Dinshaw Petit, the 1 st Baronet) driving an Oldsmobile motorcar when cars were first introduced in Bombay, in fact in India. Another illustration depicts the first Parsi lady (name unknown) to win His Highness the Aga Khan s Special Challenge Cup for long distance driving competition in Domestic lives of the middle class and the poor According to Dr. Martin Haug, an authority on Zoroastrian scriptures commenting on the postion of Parsi women states They are always mentioned as a necessary part of the religious community. The have the same religious rites as men; the spirits of deceased women are invoked as well as those of men. 28 Karaka informs us that Parsi women enjoyed a much more honourable and independent position compared to their Hindu or Muslim sisters. The Parsi wife played an important and active role in domestic concerns untrammeled by the shackles of caste which had been imposed on Hindu and Muslim women. As more and more of them embraced educational facilities open to them, they became more independent and confident. Karaka further states that till recent times, men use to dine apart from the ladies. This custom was influenced by the Hindu community as we do not see this distinction of this nature in ancient Persia. History informs us that the ancestors of the Parsis not only dined with their mother and wives but were also accompanied by their ladies to feasts. At a dinner said to have been hosted by Amintus, King of Macedon in honour of the Persian ambassador at his court, the latter whilst taking a toast expressed his regret that no ladies were present as was the custom in his own country.---for without them the pleasure of the company could not be complete. 29 Menant elaborates by stating that If we enter the house of a Parsi we there find established, an irreproachable family, distinguished by its hierarchy, and the authority exercised by the head of that family. The husbands are generally kind and gentle, the wives not less mindful of their duties than Europeans, and they are worthy of the exalted position they enjoy in Parsi society. By their religious laws they are as good members of their community as its men are, and they take part in the same ceremonies. Freed from the trammels to which Hindu and Mussalman women are still subject, the Parsi women, among the working classes, take an active part in house-keeping, whilst the women of the higher ranks of life concern themselves with the direction of the house, and the education of their children. Life, outside their homes, is open to them. 30 Menant also throws light on the life of the middle and poorer classes. Ladies living in smaller towns like Udvada and Navsari leave their homes before daybreak and proceed to fetch water from the nearby well, grinding corn, washing linen, kneading rice-flour to make chapaties, weaving the kusti (the sacred thread) --- these were the domestic duties performed by these ladies. Child marriages Child marriages are one of the most serious violations of human rights. On October 11, 2012, the world celebrated the first ever UN-declared International Day of the Girl. It is a tragedy that girls are most marginalized in developing and poor countries. Bishop Desmond Tutu informs us that ten million girls under 18 are married off every year with little or no say in the matter. Today, in India, we are faced with a scourge where young girls are forced into child marriages, raped, sold into prostitution, tortured for dowry and denied education. 40% of the child marriages in the world take place in India. Zoroastrian history informs us that the custom of child marriages did not exist in ancient Iran. But having lived for centuries among the Hindus, a number of customs were adopted by the Parsis one of these was child marriage. In 1777, the Parsi Punchayet which was the apex body of the community and which was also considered as the court of justice, had issued an edict against the practice of child marriage.

6 6 However, an event which took place in 1785 is worth noting. A Parsi watchmaker named Behramji Nuserwanji married his one or two year old son to the daughter of Hormusji Behramji Patel who was only seven weeks old. The Punchayet was very indignant about this and summoned the whole community to the Dadyseth fire temple in Bombay. A resolution was unanimously passed excommunicating the above two Parsis forbidding other members from having any relations with them and also prohibiting all priests from performing any religious ceremonies in their homes. 31 The most successful and eminent Parsi Hindu reformer was Behramji Malbari. He dedicated his entire life in ameliorating the condition of Indian women who had been tied down by social traditions. His reform was focused on child marriages and the early permanent widowhood practiced by Hindu social structure. His Notes on Infant Marriage and Enforced Widowhood of which 4000 copies were sent to all prominent Englishmen and Hindus in 1884 led to a national debate. This made him the most influential non-hindu social reformer of his time. From 1884 to 1891, he led an aggressive crusade for the introduction of social reform legislation through his newspaper The Indian Spectator besides his lecture trips all over India. He went to Britain three times in order to pursue his protest for change at the actual centre of administrative power and to mobilize British public opinion. 32 Deeply concerned about the girl child who was pushed into marriage at a very young age, in 1894, he explicated his stand in The Indian Problem. Interalia he stated What could you expect from a nation whose mothers have a life in perpetual infancy? Can these be mothers of heroes and patriots and statesmen? 33 Three of India s leading social reformers viz., Vidyasagar (Bengal), Sir T. M. Iyer (Madras) and Ranade were on Malbari s side. He was opposed by the orthodox and nationalistic circles and by Lokmanya Tilak. His opponents were not willing to permit the English government to interfere in imporant Hindu socio-religious customs. 34 When he was criticized, on March 7, 1885, he wrote in the The Indian Spectator: In another place I am gently asked to look after the reform of Parsi customs. Well, as a matter of fact, we Parsis have got rid of infant marriage, bigamy, polygamy and several other evils borrowed from Hindus. And it is after having reformed ourselves that we are appealing to the educated sense of the mother community to do likewise. 35 His paper on An Appeal from the Daughters of India was published in London in Malbari s determined propaganda campaign amongst the Indian masses, his dialogue with certain Hindu intelligentsia, his memoranda to British politicians and mobilization of public opinion in Britain, led to the success in 1891 as the Age of Consent Bill was passed. As per this Bill, the minimal marriage age for girls in India was raised from 10 to 12 years. After being victorious in the seven year debate on the Age of Consent Bill, Malbari retired from public life. Being one of the leading journalists of India, he spent the last few years of his life in founding the Seva Sadan together with Dayaram Gidumal. This institution catered to the education and medical care of Indian women in western India especially for the benefit of lower classes and castes. 36 Bigamy Bigamy was always strictly prohibited amongst the Parsis. However, in certain cases, when the husband and the wife could not fundamentally agree on most issues or on account of barrenness, in such circumstances, they did take second wives. Whenever these special cases took place, the concerned parties sought permission from the Punchayet to take an additional wife. But at the beginning of the 19 th century, incidents of bigamy began to crop up in the community. As a result, innocent wives were at times forsaken by their husbands on flimsy grounds and a new wife was taken. As a result of this, the Punchayet called a public meeting in 1818 and rules prohibiting bigamy were unanimously adopted by the entire assembly. A person requesting divorce from his first wife had to represent his case to the Punchayet. The merits of the case would be meticulously studied by the Punchayet and then a decision taken in the matter. An interesting case of bigamy which took place in 1818 needs to be cited. One Jamshedji Behramji Lashkari who after amassing much wealth in Calcutta returned to Bombay. On account of his connections and wealth, he brazenly violated the rules and married a second wife while the first one was still alive. The Punchayet summoned a meeting of the Anjuman (community) and excommunicated Jamshedji as well as his second wife. Being extremely annoyed at this decision, Jamshedji assaulted the priest who was assigned the duty of proclaiming his excommunication. The Punchayet immediately convened another meeting of the Anjuman ; a humiliating resolution was passed whereby Jamshedji had to strike his face five times with his own shoe in presence of the

7 7 entire community. Besides this, with a halter round his neck, request the pardon of the priest whom he had assaulted. On June 16, 1818, Jamshedji had to carry out the above requirements at the Dadyseth fire temple. His punishment did not end here. He was made to undergo certain ceremonies and later return all the jewelry and property of his first wife. Moreover, he had to deposit a sum of Rs. 2,000/- with the Punchayet for the maintenance of his first wife. After fulfilling all the above conditions, he was readmitted into the community. 37 Prominent Parsi social reformers prioritized empowerment and education of women Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was at the cusp of making history when it came to women s education. At a time when few thought of educating women, it is heartening to note that his daughter, Pirojbai was one of the first Parsi women to speak English in In the same year, Meherbai Hormusji Shroff allowed her daughter Dosabai to study at an English private school as the first Parsi girl. 38 Jamsetjee was also the first Parsi and Indian to grant freedom to women. It was a defining moment when on March 9, 1840, it was for the first time that ladies from his family were seen in public amongst men of other communities. This was on the occasion when Jamsetjee held a banquet to celebrate the marriage of Queen Victoria with Prince Albert. At this function, he introduced Lady Jejeebhoy and his sons wives to the guest of honour, Sir James Rivett-Carnac, Governor of Bombay and others. On this rare occasion, the Bombay Times (March 11, 1840) reported: One remarkable peculiarity distinguished this party from any ever given in Bombay, probably in India, and deserves to be noted as a large stride towards the European state of Society. During the evening, the Lady of Jamsetji Jejeebhoy and her three daughters-in-law received visitors in one of the apartments. Lady Carnac, Lady Macmohon, Lord Keane, Sir Thomas Wilshire, and many other ladies and gentlemen were introduced in succession, and conversed with these ladies, of whom two were of distinguished beauty, and all comported themselves with grace and dignified courtesy. 39 Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsi Benevolent Institution was launched in On August 17, 1850, he opened two schools for girls in Bombay one of these was located in the Fort area and the other at Alhaibaug. When Jamsetjee passed away in 1859, there were nineteen schools run by the Institution: five of them were in Bombay (two for boys and three for girls) and fourteen in the various towns of Gujarat (eleven for boys and three for girls). By spearheading this movement, he would certainly be remembered as one of the pioneers of women s education in India. Although he left us 150 years ago, the legacy of this icon has been kept alive by his dynamic successors through his various educational institutions, hospitals etc. this has rightfully earned him a significant niche in history. Dadabhai Naoroji Whilst referring to the first meeting of the Congress in 1885, Pandit Nehru in his Glimpses of World History (p.440) says One name towers above all others that of Dadabhai Naoroji, who became the Grand Old Man of India and who first used the word Swaraj (self-government) for India s goal. He was the President of the Congress on three occasions, 1886, 1893 and His masterly work Poverty and UN-British Rule in India demonstrated to the world how the British were exploiting India economically. He was one of the pioneers of the freedom movement who was also the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament ( ). National leaders of the stature of Dadabhai were secular in their outlook. As President of the Indian National Congress in 1893, in his presidential address he stated Whether I am a Hindu, a Mohammadan, a Parsi, a Christian or of any other creed, I am above all an Indian. Our country is India; our nationality is Indian. 40 He said this not only as a patriot but also he had understood and acknowledged the oneness of all religions. He was also one of the earliest reformers to support women s education. In 1848, a group of young reformers led by Dadabhai along with English teachers and few Hindus launched the Students Literary and Scientific Society with the aim of improving the educational standard of Indians through voluntary and partially unpaid teachers. The Society focused on the education of young women. In 1855, the nine schools run by the Society only for girls were attended 41 by 740 girls 475 of them were Parsis, 178 Marathi Hindus and 87 Gujarati Hindus. In 1857, the Parsis took over the management of the schools for Parsi girls through the Parsi Girl s School Association. The wide spectrum of reform activities undertaken by Dadabhai Naoroji and other Parse reformers for the Parsis as well as for other communities may be gauged by the following statement of Dadabhai: The six or seven years before I eventually came to England in 1855 were full of all sorts of reforms,

8 8 social, educational, political, religious Female education, free association of women with men at public, social and other gatherings, infant Schools, the Students Literary and Scientific Society, Societies for the Diffusion of Useful knowledge in the Vernacular, Parsi reform, abolition of child marriages, remarriage of widows among Hindus, and Parsi Religious Reform Society were some of the problems tackled, movements set on foot, and institutions inaugurated by a hand of young men fresh from College Such were the first fruits of the English education given at the Elphinstone College 42 Jamsetjee Tata This dynamic personality visualized education as a great asset to the advancement of India. In 1892, he launched an endowment with a corpus of Rs. 25 lacs. Initially this was named the J. N. Tata Education Scholarship and in 1939 it was changed to the Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata Endowment for the higher education of Indians. Over the last 120 years, thousands of Indians have benefited through this project. In August 2012, nine Parsi scholars obtained scholarships. It is heartening to note that out of these nine, five were young women who would be traveling abroad for higher education. Maneckjee Cursetjee Shroff In 1863, a Parsi educationist Maneckjee Cursetjee Shroff established an English school for girls called the Alexandra Girl s English Institution, Bombay. It celebrated 150 years of its inception in September It was one of the first educational institutions for girls started in Bombay to raise the social status of women. He started by teaching 13 girls in the English medium at his residence Villa Byculla. For this purpose, he had appointed two British Madams to teach this batch of girls. The school had on its Board of Directors, stalwarts of Indian society viz., Sir Phirozeshah Mehta and Madame Bhikaiji Cama. In order to raise funds for building a school building, its indefatigable founder Maneckjee asked for contributions. In view of the noble aim of educating girls, he received overwhelming support from various members of the royal family of Europe. Her Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales sent a beautiful gold watch. Her Majesty the Queen of Prussia sent a vase and a porcelain dejeuner. Her Imperial Highness the Duchess of Oldenburg contributed a carpet amongst many other gifts from high-placed ladies of Europe. This display was inaugurated by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1870 during his visit to Bombay. 43 The present principal, Ms. Freny Mehta states that In 150 years, the school has achieved many milestones and the legacy continues. Alexandra s 150 is a celebration of the continuing tradition of teaching young girls how to be critical thinkers and compassionate individuals. We have achieved a lot but there are still many miles to go. One of the alumni who participated in the celebrations was Ms. Putli Pavri (77), who passed out of the school way back in She stated that Those were simpler times adding that she paid Rs. 6/- for piano lessons at the school in those days. Sorabjee Bengallee He was a prominent educationist, philanthropist and a reformer. In 1876, he was nominated as the member of the Bombay Legislative Council. He was deeply involved with the work of the Students Literary and Scientific Study. He worked zealously for the promotion of education but his focus was on female education. As the demand for education grew, in 1885, he constructed a two-storied building at a cost of Rs. 90,000/- (excluding the government subsidies) and donated it to perpetuate the memory of his mother Bai Bhikaijee. This Institution was called Bai Bhikhaijee S. Bengallee Girls High School. Few Trailblazers Madame Bhikaiji Cama The first Parsi woman to carve an honoured niche for herself in the National Political Movement was Madame Bhikaiji Cama. The decisive point in her life came when she attended the first historic session of the Congress in Mumbai. This historic meeting inspired her to become an ardent patriot. In 1901, at the age of 40, when she became very ill she was sent to England for medical treatment. At this stage of her life, she was deeply influenced by the anarchist, Krishna Verma. Whenever an opportunity arose, she delivered fiery speeches against the British in order to avoid arrest she fled to Paris where she lived in exile for several years. During her stay in Paris, she spontaneously helped Indians and especially students.

9 9 In 1905, she launched a revolutionary paper, Vandemataram. It was published in Geneva and smuggled through Pondicherry to all parts of India. In 1907, she toured America, Germany and Scotland addressing audiences on the need for Indian independence. On August 18, 1907, she addressed an audience of 1000 Germans speaking in their mother tongue. After her speech, she unfurled a flag which was destined to become India s national flag with few modifications. 44 Sakarbai Petit The first veterinary hospital in India and perhaps the largest in Asia, was built by Lady Sakarbai, wife of the first Sir Dinshaw Petit way back in At this point of time, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was also formed. The hospital was named the Lady Sakarbai Hospital for Animals. 45 Cornelia Sorabji She had the honour and distinction of being the first women to take the Bachelor of Civil Laws exam at Oxford University in Upon her return to India in 1894, she was the first Indian female barrister. Over a twenty year period, she had helped about 600 women and orphans fight legal battles, sometimes at no charge. In the 1920s, she opened a law firm in Calcutta. Besides being a brilliant lawyer, she was also a social reformer. She was one of the most important Parsis pushing for social reforms in India. Her book written in 1908 entitled Between the Twilights, Being Studies of Indian Women by One of Themselves was published in London. Dosabai Jessawalla In 1842, a Parsi lady by the name of Meherbai Hormusji Shroff permitted her daughter Dosabai to attend an English private school as the first Parsi girl. Her married name was Dosabai Cawasji Jessawalla who penned her own experiences in The Story of My Life. Therein she mentions that it created a great scandal among the Parsis, some of whom went so far as to send threatening letters to the family. 46 The British immediately championed this cause by writing in the English newspaper Bombay Courier of August 23, 1842: We shall watch the progress of this girl with deep interest and will rejoice to find the noble example followed by others. In 1907, this intrepid lady was on a world tour at the age of 78. The newspaper of those days, The Parsi of February 23, 1908, reported: Mrs. Dosabai C. Jessawalla, who is at present in London on her way back to India, finishing her tour round the world in her 78 th year, was one of the most picturesque among the much bejeweled Parsis in the House of Lords at the opening of Parliament, says an English contemporary. This venerable lady was the first Parsi girl to receive an English education, and the first among any Indian ladies to be in our English society in India. 47 Bachubai Moos Due to her pioneering spirit and the vision of her parents, she was in the vanguard of early students who opted for education. Encouraged and supported by her father Prof. Ardeshir Moos, the Girton High School for girls was founded in January She dedicated her entire life for the advancement of women s education. Propelled by the gratitude of her past pupils, she was honoured with the presentation of a purse at a ceremony held at the Bombay Royal Opera House. In 1942, she was given the Award of the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal. She died in 1946 at the age of 96, whilst still in harness. 48 Active role of Parsi women in the political and social arenas 49 Hundreds of Parsi women took active interest in supporting the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 by demonstrating in the streets of Bombay. Furthermore, they also aided Gandhiji s programme of boycotting British goods and worked actively for the second Civil Disobedience Movement in The activities of a few prominent women are described here briefly. Perin Captian, the grand daughter of Dadabhai Naoroji had also been very active in Indian politics. After her schooling and college career in Bombay, she was sent to Paris in 1905 where she studied French language and literature at the prestigious Sorbonne. She also sympathized with the national struggle for Independence of other countries besides her own. Because of this, she was appointed as the representative of the Polish colony in Paris to all political meetings in connection with Poland. In 1910, when the first Egyptian National Congress was convened in Brussels, Bhikaiji Cama as well as Perin and her sister were requested to attend the Congress by the Egyptian delegates on their behalf. Soon after this, Perin returned to Bombay where she taught French at the Cathedral Girls School where she had studied.

10 10 In 1919, a landmark event took place in her life when she met Mahatma Gandhi. From that day onwards till her death in 1958, she worked devotedly for the Congress party. In April 1921, she founded the Rashtriya Stree Sabha, an organization which aimed at uniting all sections of Indian women. The Women s Unity Club was also launched with the same goal. In 1930, during the Salt Satyagraha, she was elected President of the War Council of the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee with Lilavati Mumshi as Vice-President. On July, 2, 1930, both of them were arrested by the police. As the Rashtriya Stree Sabha was declared illegal in 1930, out of frustration, the women formed the Gandhi Seva Sena in 1933, which was led by Perin. In 1945, when Gandhiji launched the Hindustani Prachar Sabha at Wardha, Perin became an enthusiastic supporter. Khorshed Captian was the other grand daughter of Dadabhai Naoroji who was a dynamic political worker. Gandhiji asked her to work with Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, the Frontier Gandhi to organize Muslim women into a national body. As she carried out precarious duties, she was arrested and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment at the Bannu jail. There were a few others who worked for the freedom movement and helped the Congress. Goshi and Nergish Captian were two dynamic ladies---they had instilled the spirit of their grandfather, Dadabhai Naoroji. Besides this, Tehmina Joshi made fiery speeches and appealed to the masses to be associated to the Swadeshi Movement and help the cause of independence. Serene Hormusji Dastur, was a member of the Desh Sevika Sangha who penned spirited patriotic poems and aroused the consciousness of the people. There were a number of Parsi women of renown who had made a mark as social workers. Dinbai Patuck was the founder of the Industrial Home for Parsi Women, renamed Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute for Women. Dinbai and Mary Clubwala Jadhav were devout nationalists. Other prominent social workers were Hilla Rustomji Furdoonji and Meherbai S. H. Jhabvala. Mrs. Furdoonji worked with Margaret Cousins, Founder-Secretary of the All India Women s Conference, which was the largest women s organization in the country. Mrs. Furdoonji and Mrs. Cousins fought vehemently for the civil and political rights of Indian women. Mrs. Jhabvala being the niece of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta (the uncrowned King of Bombay) was a very resolute person. For almost 30 years, she was very active in the All India Women s Conference and was elected twice as its President ( ). She established the Bapnu Ghar, a home for distressed married women. As she was deeply involved in civic matters, she was a councilor of the Bombay Municipal Corporation for 4 years, of the Bandra Municipality for 12 years and was a Justice of the Peace for 12 years. A dominant pioneer in the battle for the voting rights for Indian women was Hirabai Tata. She was the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Women s Association founded in 1917 by Margaret Cousins and Dr. Annie Besant. This was the first politically conscious body for the empowerment of the Indian women. The All India Women s Conference had developed from this organization. Hirabai was an important member of the deputation of Indian women, headed by Sarojini Naidu, who met the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford and E. S. Montague, the Secretary of State for India, demanding that women be recognized as people for whom the franchise had been broadened. Mithan Jamshed Lam who was the daughter of Hirabai Tata, was provided a liberal education and was an ardent nationalist from her youth. She had the honour of being the first Indian woman to qualify as a Barrister-At-Law from the Inns of Court at London. On her return to Bombay in 1924, she began practice at the Bombay High Court, with Bhulabhai Desai, who was the Leader of the Opposition in the Indian Legislative Assembly. For 40 years, she had been closely connected with the All India Women s Conference and was elected its President in Being brilliant, she was asked to help draft the Hindu Code Bill and several other Acts which became law in the 1950s. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1962 and was an active member of the Maharashtra State Council for many years. It is heartening to note that although the Parsis were a microscopic community, a small group of dynamic women played a prominent role not only in the freedom struggle but also for other causes. Conclusion Unfortunately, the plight of women in some parts of the world is quite deplorable their rights are still trampled with impunity and they have little freedom. Fortunately, the picture is not all dark. In some countries, the importance of gender equality and empowerment of women is being recognized and effective steps are being taken for their implementation. In its 2012 Survey Report released in

11 11 October 2012, the World Economic Forum has made a study of 135 countries. India stands 105 th in the global Gender Index. This Index examines the gap between men and women on the basis of economic participation and opportunities, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. The Index is topped by Iceland, followed by Finland, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. India has, however, fared better than countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt & the UAE among others. 50 In the light of these developments it is commendable that a microscopic community like the Parsis commenced the process of empowering their women about 150 years ago. Not only were their womenfolk treated as equals but very significant steps were taken by visionary leaders to introduce education for them. This early celebration of the spirit of womanhood led to the flowering of women power. What is really creditable about these leaders is the fact that they also encouraged women of other communities to take advantage of educational facilities. Social activists like Malbari spent their entire lives for the social upliftment of Hindu women in spite of opposition. In 1857, some Parsi reformists were circulating articles viz., The Introduction of Widow Remarriage among Hindus. 51 Dadabhai Naoroji and Sorabjee Bengallee launched the Widow Remarriage Association in order to improve the condition of widows. 52 The irrepressible spirit of few Parsi women enabled them to conquer many frontiers. No wonder that the Englishman H. G. Briggs wrote in 1852 that Several Parsi ladies are set to manage the houses of agency conducted in the names of their husbands, and several widows wholly control the mercantile establishments bequeathed to them. 53 Moreover, since some of these women had an unbreakable will, they were motivated to form the Parsi Ladies Association as early as in They were bubbling with confidence, which made them assert with all our faults and shortcomings, we are admittedly in the front rank of the woman of the East, not excepting even Japanese women, and it is strange as it is regrettable that such a body of educated women should not have a great organization of their own. 54 The various factors discussed above propelled them to scale several heights. Throughout the 20 th century they contributed to the progress of India in many walks of life their repertoire was truly rich and varied. Foot Notes: 1. Sinha Kounteya, India ranks 98th in world on women MPs, The Times of India, Mumbai, July 3, Paymaster Rustom B., Early History of the Parsees in India, Bombay, 1954, p Commissariat M. S., The First Parsee in England ( ), Nowroji Rustom Manek of Surat and His Relations with the East India Company, Kharegat Memorial Volume, Vol. I, Bombay, 1953, pp.221ff 4. Lord Macaulay, Minutes on Indian Education (1835) quoted in Speeches by Lord Macaulay, ed. G. M. Young, Oxford, 1935, p Admission of Educated Natives into the Indian Civil Service, a paper read before the East India Association, London, April 17, 1868, p.6 6. Spear P., India A Modern History, Ann Arbor, 1961, p Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. IX, p Hints on Parsi Education, Present and Future, p.9 9. See Kapadia S. M., Progress of Education in Navsari Taluka, Sociological Bulletin, Vol. VIII, No. 1, 1959, p Kulke Eckehard, The Parsees in India, New Delhi, 1978, p Parsee Prakash, Series II, Part 5, Bombay, 1899, p Karaka Dosabhai, History of the Parsis, Vol. I, Bombay, 1884 (Reprinted in 1999), pp Menant Delphine, The Parsis, Vol. III, Bombay, 1994, pp Kulke, op., cit, p Menant, op., cit, Vol. III, p Sidhwa R. K., Scheme to Remove Poverty and Unemployment from the Parsi Community, Bombay, 1955, p Menant, op., cit, Vol. II, pp , fn Menant, op., cit, Vol. II, p.340, fn Jam-e-Jamshed, September 14, Menant, op., cit, Vol. II, p.338b