In "We are the parjats” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, June 21, 2016) Kersee Kabraji advises us to call ourselves Indian Zoroastrians, as we were named ‘Parsi’ by others.
There is a general belief that the term ‘Parsi’ was used as an ethnic tribe that came to India from Iran and we were referred to as Parsis only after our arrival in India. Well, that conception is wrong! Even in ancient times the term was used by Iranian kings. King Darius has very clearly written in his Naqsh-e-Rustam inscription, "Framataraam Aadam Darayaavaush... Haxamanishiya, Parsa Parsahya Pucha, Ariya, Ariya Cicha.” Darius proudly describes himself in these words: "Paarsaa, Paarsaahiya Puthra, Aarya, Aarya Chithra (The Great King, The King Of Kings, a Parsi, the Son of a Parsi, an Aryan, of Aryan seed).” This proves that the term Parsi was widely used even in antiquity.
Kabraji also propounds the well-used sugar in milk theory. I would rather believe in another theory, which seems logical — that the learned dastur put his ring in the bowl of milk, giving the impression that we will be accommodated just as the ring was in the bowl of milk, and thereby enhance its quality. (Not to assimilate in their kingdom, as the milk in sugar theory would suggest. That would belie the reason for leaving Iran, which was mainly to protect and profess our religion.) BURJOR DABOO
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