The purpose of most charitable trusts created by Zoroastrians was to assist the economically, socially and politically disadvantaged. These beneficiaries were viewed as people who had little say in public life. The government tries to assist the weakest of the weak but that often leaves those marginally above the poverty line bereft of assistance. Individuals step in to fill the gap. Parsi philanthropy has therefore been in the forefront of community development.
In 1932, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust commissioned Irish member of parliament and academician, S. F. Markham to do a study to gauge the effectiveness of community......