What facts I unwittingly discovered while studying Roman-Persian relations support many facets of Dr Rukshana Nanji’s findings about Sanjan ("When did we arrive?” Parsiana, December 7-20, 2019). The Romans were very fond of silk and robes made of the fabric. But the silk trade was the monopoly of the Sogdian Iranians and Khurasanis who bought silk from Ceylon as soon as the Chinese merchant ships brought it there. They never allowed the Romans and their collaborator Ethiopian ships even once to get hold of the silk, so that they could sell it at a higher price to the Romans at the border sites.
I too was unable to find evidence for the Parsis migrating in 936 CE, if there was any migration. During my study of Parsi history from the fall of the Sasanians to the present day, I do not find any evidence to vindicate this date.
Nishapur was conquered by the Arabs in 651 when the residents were mostly Zoroastrian. However, at least by the early 10th century the Muslims were in a majority as per the exhaustive study of conversions in Iran by R. W. Bulliet. Only 20% of Nishapuris were Zoroastrians. Jews, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians were ordered to live only within a Zoroastrian quarter. My Iranian friends tell me that had they known of a haven like India, they would have flocked there for shelter. But obviously such a move was mainly known and confined to the silk traders. Until the time of the Rivayats (circa 1486) Iranians and Parsis were generally not even aware of each other’s existence.
In one of the best studies on this subject, Prof Alan Williams aptly observes: "Though it is a Kisseh ‘story,’ it is no Tarikh ‘history.’” Dr Albert de Jong also finds the 936 CE date "historically worthless,” and alerts us to a very important issue that is overlooked due to our preoccupation and over-obsession with what may be in all likelihood a framed story. The Kisseh-i Sanjan is written by a Sanjana priest bent on proving his own sect’s case against the rival Bhagarias of Navsari.
There is a need by Parsi and other scholars to dig deeper and enlighten the community about the true facts as Nanji has done so admirably and for which she deserves our gratitude.
Dr KERSEY H. ANTIA
Chicago, USA