The following chronological retrospect should give some indication of the community’s rise in the City.
I 1640: Rustom Dorab ‘Jandral’ and his father Dorabji Nanabhoy Patel came to Portuguese-held Bombay from Mora-Sumari. They were the ancestors of the Patels. When the Sidis of Janjira invaded Bombay, Rustom Dorab took the leadership and drove them out. He was, therefore, titled ‘Gendral’, a corrupt form of General. For two years (1690-1692) he kept sway over the City and was virtually the Governor of the City. Later he was made a Patel by the British.
2 1665: This year marks the coming into Bombay of the Bhikha-Behram family from Broach. Their descendents later on built the famous Bhikha-Behram well in Bombay located on Veer Nariman Road, opposite Oval Maidan.
3 1689: This year marks the coming into Bombay of the Dadyseth family from Surat. This family later on established the first fire-temple in 1783 and also founded a Daremeher now known under the same name.
4 1690: The Banaji family came into Bombay from Surat during this period. their descendents later on founded the Banaji Firetemple situated at Queens Road.
5. 1735: This year marks an important era in the history of the Parsis, as this year the extension of the Government Dockyard was carried out under the supervision of a Parsi ship-builder from Surat - Mr. Lovji N. Wadia.
6 1743: In this year Bai Pirojbanoo, daughter of one Mr. Shiavax Dinayardin fled from Iran to escape the onslaught of the Muslims. She was given refuge in Bombay by the Bhikha-Behram family and later on married Rustom Dorab, the famous ‘Jandral’
7 1778: In this year the Parsis first entered the printing business. One Mr. Rustomji Khurshedji founded the first printing press using English type only.
Later on in l8l2 one Mobed Fardunji Marzban founded the first Gujarati printing press and printed first Parsi Punchang. He was the father of Gujarati journalism.
8 1834: It is remarkable that a Parsi firm by the name of Jehangir Wadia and Company was the first to import ice from America. The same year in the month of March, Mr. Ardeshlir Khurshedji Wadia became the first Parsi and Indian to light his house and garden with gas. In 1841 Mr. Wadia became the first Parsi F. R. S. Today there are 2 other Parsi F. R. S. viz. Dr. H. J. Bhabha in 1941 and Dr. D.N.Wadia in 1957.
9 1837: The first Parsi to establish a dockyard along with other partners was one Mr. Rustomji Cawasji Bomanji. This dockyard was established in Calcutta.
11. It is here remarkable to note that the first Parsi and Indian to become the Municipal Commissioner of the Bombay Municipal Corporation was Sir Rustom P. Masani in the year 1922. Mr. Ardeshir Dalal, I. C. S., was Municipal Commissioner for the period 1928-32.
Parsi Population of Bombay
The following figures indicate the rise of Parsi population of Bombay since 1816:
1816 13,550
1872 44,091
1881 48,597
1891 47,458
1901 46,231
1911 50.931
1921 52,234
1931 57,765
1941 59,813
1951 68,660
1961 70,000
1971
1981 50,053
1991 53,794
