On World Bicycle Day, we look back at a charming chapter from Indore’s civic and commercial history, one in which the humble bicycle was not merely a mode of transport, but a symbol of aspiration, mobility, enterprise, and everyday life. At the heart of this story is N.C. Anklesaria & Company, which, in 1918, started… Continue reading When Indore Was the City of Bicycles: Remembering N.C. Anklesaria & Company on World Bicycle Day
Category: History
Finding Keki Gazdar: New exhibition traces the roots of an Indian Parsi family through its archives
It is easy to see why Joyona Medhi turns to cinema to describe her latest photobook and exhibition, Sparseeing. The launch of the book at the Cymroza Art Gallery last Friday marked the second leg of an archival work that was sparked by an incidental meeting of friends in 2016. “The book is part fiction,… Continue reading Finding Keki Gazdar: New exhibition traces the roots of an Indian Parsi family through its archives
Why a proposal to resettle Parsis in Iran in the 1940s never took off
In June 1947, as India stood on the brink of independence, sections of the Iranian press began publishing articles suggesting that Parsis would emigrate in large numbers from India to the land of their ancestors. The idea echoed global calls within the Jewish diaspora encouraging migration to Palestine. GA Naqvi, an officer in the consular… Continue reading Why a proposal to resettle Parsis in Iran in the 1940s never took off
The Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower Restored: A Legacy of Service, Craft, and Civic Collaboration
Built in 1882 by Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia, this clock tower was a gift of service and foresight. Today, its legacy stands complete once more. Standing tall in Fort since 1882, the Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower has quietly witnessed Mumbai’s transformation — from colonial-era streets to the thriving financial and cultural capital it is today.… Continue reading The Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia Clock Tower Restored: A Legacy of Service, Craft, and Civic Collaboration
1,500-year-old church found next to Zoroastrianism place of worship in Iraq
A 2,000-year-old palace in the Republic of Georgia and a 1,500-year-old church in Iraq suggest Zoroastrians coexisted with people of other religions. The Gird-î Kazhaw archaeological site is in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, near the modern village of Bestansur. (Image credit: Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt) About 1,500 years ago, early Christian monks… Continue reading 1,500-year-old church found next to Zoroastrianism place of worship in Iraq
Ambedkar and Bhathena: An unlikely friendship that stood test of time
Revisiting the special bond between Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and his Parsi businessman friend Naval Bhathena on Mahaparinirvan Diwas Even great men need friends who are not overawed by their greatness, who tell them like it is and stand by them through thick and thin. In Naval Bhathena, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar had one such friend. The… Continue reading Ambedkar and Bhathena: An unlikely friendship that stood test of time
The Parsi Legacy of Jamshedpur
The Parsi community’s connection with the steel city dates back to its earliest days. Following the establishment of the Tata Steel plant in 1907, the first group of Parsis arrived in Jamshedpur around 1908. As the steel plant took shape, more Parsis migrated to the city, and to this day, they remain an integral part… Continue reading The Parsi Legacy of Jamshedpur
The women who made Parsis India’s one of the most progressive community
They were few, but far ahead of their time. In a country still grappling with child marriage and female illiteracy, Parsi women were already walking into universities, laboratories, and courtrooms. From unfurling India’s first flag in Europe to capturing its freedom on camera, these women didn’t just make history—they rewrote it. The women who made… Continue reading The women who made Parsis India’s one of the most progressive community
An Enduring Hero: Remembering Dadabhai Naoroji on His 200th Birth Anniversary
Today September 4th, 2025 is the 200th birth anniversary of one of the greatest Indian’s ever to be born. Our dear friend and mentor Zerbanoo Gifford commemorates the birth and life of Dadabhai Naoroji on this momentous occassion Article By Zerbanoo Gifford A Hero Worthy of Awe I’m often asked who my hero is. I… Continue reading An Enduring Hero: Remembering Dadabhai Naoroji on His 200th Birth Anniversary
