Parsee
Noun: A Parsee is a member of a religious community of Zoroastrian origin. The community is descended from Persian Zoroastrians who migrated to the Indian subcontinent, primarily to the region of Gujarat, to escape religious persecution following the Muslim conquest of Persia. Parsees are now predominantly found in western India, especially in and around the city of Mumbai. They adhere to a monotheistic faith centered on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster.
The word "Parsee" is used as a noun to refer to an individual belonging to this specific ethnoreligious group. It is a proper noun and is typically capitalized. * The charity was founded by a wealthy Parsee businessman. * She studied the migration history of the Parsee community.
- The term is often used in historical, sociological, and religious contexts to discuss the community's unique cultural preservation, contributions to Indian society (particularly in industry, law, and philanthropy), and their distinct rituals.
- "Parsee" can function attributively as an adjective (though "Parsi" is more common in this role) to describe things related to the community.
- We attended a Parsee wedding ceremony.
- The museum has a collection of Parsee artifacts.
- Parsi: This is the more common and preferred spelling and term within the community itself, especially in an Indian context. "Parsee" is an older Anglicized spelling.
- Zoroastrian: A broader term for any follower of the Zoroastrian religion, which includes Parsees/Parsis as well as the Zoroastrians who remained in Iran (Iranis).
- Zoroastrian (when referring specifically to the Indian adherents descended from Persian refugees). Note: While all Parsees are Zoroastrians, not all Zoroastrians are Parsees.
The definition specifies a "monotheistic sect of Zoroastrian origin." Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that worships Ahura Mazda as the supreme deity. The term "sect" in this context refers to the distinct community formed by the Persian Zoroastrians in India, who developed unique cultural and some ritual practices separate from Zoroastrians in Iran.
- a member of a monotheistic sect of Zoroastrian origin; descended from the Persians; now found in western India