Living History India has a wonderful overview on the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai that were designated a World Heritage side by the United Nations. Many of these buildings were built by eminent Parsis of that generation. And today many of the leading citizens who made the designation happen are also Parsis.… Continue reading Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
Category: Heritage
The history of Karachi’s Homi Katrak Chambers
If you head to Clifton after passing Sind Club and Frere Hall in Karachi, you’ll come to a traffic signal at Lilly Bridge, with a piece of history on its left: Homi Katrak Chambers. This stunning pre-Partition heritage building was bought by TPL Properties and will be converted into a luxury real estate complex. This… Continue reading The history of Karachi’s Homi Katrak Chambers
A reborn Persian Empire captured Rome’s lands—and its emperor
Inspired by their powerful ancestors, the Sassanian dynasty restored Persia to imperial glory, ruling lands that stretched from Turkey to Pakistan. By Miguel Ángel Andrés-Toledo | National Geographic Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 B.C. and ended the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great. For the next five centuries, the Iranian plateau became… Continue reading A reborn Persian Empire captured Rome’s lands—and its emperor
Muncherji Murzban and the Restoration of Lal Chimney: Parsi Social Housing
TO practice conservation in Mumbai, one must be lucky to have the right client who understands and sympathizes with the word ‘conservation’. I was fortunate to have one such client, the Garib Zarthostiona Rehethan Fund, a benevolent trust looking after the low/middle income group, residential housing needs of the Parsi community. Article by Ar. Vikas… Continue reading Muncherji Murzban and the Restoration of Lal Chimney: Parsi Social Housing
Digital Zoroastrian at the British Library
The British Library is fortunate in having an unparalled collection of over 100 Zoroastrian works ranging from the oldest, the ninth century Ashem Vohu prayer written in Sogdian script discovered by Aurel Stein in Central Asia in 1907, to, most recently, manuscripts collected especially for the Royal Society in London during the late-nineteenth century. Although… Continue reading Digital Zoroastrian at the British Library
Parsis in Pakistan: A life in photos
Photojournalist Mobeen Ansari has spent close to a decade capturing facets of the Parsis — a community that has contributed immensely to the building of Pakistan Walking around Jamshed Baugh, a quiet Parsi neighbourhood in Karachi, photojournalist Mobeen Ansari spotted an elderly woman sitting on her porch, lost in thoughts. In her bright pink frock,… Continue reading Parsis in Pakistan: A life in photos
Mumbai Metro 3 affects iconic J. N. Petit Library
Percy Wadia, a staff member of the library told the Free Press Journal that they have around 3, 000 members as the regular visitors to the library before the Metro work began. Jamshetjee Nessarwanjee Petit Institute and Library at Fort (JN Petit Institute) is witnessing fewer visitors due to the ongoing Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ (Metro-3) work. Article… Continue reading Mumbai Metro 3 affects iconic J. N. Petit Library
Sanjan: Digging Deep into History
On a dark and stormy night, a ship full of Zoroastrian refugees from Persia was lashed by the wind, rain and waves off the west coast of India. The refugees in the ship, fearful for their lives, prayed to Ahura Mazda and Behram Yazad (the Zoroastrian Angel of Victory) and promised to build a fire… Continue reading Sanjan: Digging Deep into History
170 years old and standing tall: Secunderabad Agiary was built by two banker brothers
Come August 17 and the Parsi community in the city will gather at the 170-year-old Fire Temple in Secunderabad to celebrate New Year. The majestic structure standing tall on MG Road was built in 1847 and is spread over 11,000 square yards. Recognised as a heritage structure by the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda),… Continue reading 170 years old and standing tall: Secunderabad Agiary was built by two banker brothers
