This is the story of the Parsee Zoroastrians in Jhansi. Unfortunately not much is recorded & we will endeavour to keep researching and adding more information to this site as we come across information.

The Parsis, as we knew them, great stalwarts in their own rights, whom we remember fondly, with pride, left their mark in the past. You hear of the tales of Railway engine drivers, the train guards and the accidents and occasional adventures on the railway line, and the great bonhomie developed among the running staff. This is the stuff that exemplifies the human spirit.

The Railways in those days, with British foresight or the idea of mass trade & military aggression, were creating a rail network which still exists, and which drew many a brave men to leave the comforts of home and hearth to venture to Jhansi.

Why Jhansi ?

Early on, Jhansi became a central point for the Indian railway network of the British Empire, due to its central location in India, easy access to all parts of the country & skilled local populace. Also it is to be noted that except for the famous battle of the Ranee with the British, Jhansi was always a pro British territory.

After the battles of 1857/58, as the British at the time were adamantly keen to set an example of, destroying all rebel towns, hanging the rebels from trees in public or blasting them from cannon mouths, destroying the land & communities & the same faith happened to Jhansi along with other rebel hotspots like Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and many more.

In 1858, the Ranee was forced to leave Jhansi, after the gates were treacherously opened by an insider (this is local oral parlance, not recorded anywhere), the fort stormed and the town was systematically looted (recorded by various eyewitness records). Jhansi was burnt down, with fires and smoke coming out of the fort & township for days.

So this is the Story of the Paris in Jhansi

In our time there were just Parsis, which included all Zoroastrians and even descendants of Iranees, we never had the distinction of Parsi or Irani taken that rigidly, everyone was either a Parsis or not, simple.

 

At this time we do not have a clear record of the very beginning, of which the first families or person was that arrived here. But it is clearly acknowledged that the Raja & the Boyce families were probably the earliest settlers. On enquiring for old records, sadly a lot of them were destroyed due to age, withered paper & termite attack on records

As per Phiroze (Filly) Boyce his forefathers came to Jhansi from Morena, near Gwalior, at the request of the British to open a General merchandise store in Jhansi, in the late 19th century. The British were opening up a large cantonment area in Jhansi and they required all sorts of people to tag along for their town settlements.

As recorded by William Dalrymple in his newly released book in 2006 -The Last Mughal, during the 1857 rebellion, the enterprising Parsi firm of Jehangir & Cowasjee, have been recorded to have been in Delhi, supplying the British armies all sorts of commodities, mostly liquor, groceries, & foreign goods.

As recorded by Tahmankar, in his book - Ranee of Jhansi, an account of the rebellion of the times, there is also a record of a Parsi trader in Sagar, close to Jhansi, where he mentions that a Parsee trader supplied food items and trade provisions to the British army marching past, at a very large profit, but the British had to take the provision from him as no one else could provide the supplies required. So we can surely conclude that the early enterprising Parsees are recorded in Delhi & Sagar as early as 1857 or before. Also in the Jhansi Zoroastrian Aramgarg (graveyard) there are Parsis buried there as early as 1889, so we can assume Parsis would be there much earlier.

Above:  Seth Hormasji Lala   A marble plague records the Jehangir Baug being built in around 1929/30 by Hormasji Lala, who was originally from Surat,

but settled in Cawnpore (modern Kanpur)

Some Snippets on Jhansi Parsees History

By Rony J Dick, Current President of Jhansi Anjuman (Pictured below )

Snippets of history as per my aunt Daulat Amroliwala There were two Parsi Doctors in the early days. A Dr Jehangirjee Driver & a Dr Patel. Both migrated to Bombay later on . Also there were two brothers – Mahearjee & Manekshaw Mirza. Their families stayed together in Jhansi. Later on      Manekshaw migrated to Calcutta. His daughter was married in Calcutta. Hormusjee & Savakshah Engineer, both brothers had a Bus transport business, married to two sisters Nergis & Banoo mai respectively. They used to take the local Parsis for picnics on weekends. The famous Surty company in Sipri bazaar, belonged to Burjorjee Bhagal, her mothers brother The other famous shop was the Boyce’s , mainly for foreign goods Daulats mum had a Horse cart and in evenings they used to go for outings & in the hot summer evenings - Ice cream parties were held regularly Other families of the time were –Kohinas, Kolahs, Aibaras, Umrigars, Mavalwalas, Bhagalia, Sheriarjee Elavias, Bhagats, Merchants, Faram Eduljee, Engineers, Batlivalas, Gheewalas, Jehangirjee Dick, Hansotias – 3 brothers -Nadirshah, Jalejar & Ratanshah, Kaikhushroo Raja, Eduljee Merchant, Eduljee Boyce, Olias and many others

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Many of the Jhansi Parsi people have earned a good reputation for themselves wherever they have settled in

(See their photos in the families sub heading in this website)

• Canada: Filly & Vera Elavia, Sunnu and Nari Mavalvalas, Pannu J Dick and the Engineer brothers Behram & Percy
• USA:  Gev Ogra & Rosy Bhagat
• Perth (Australia): Firoz Pestonji, Katy Shazadi (Nee Mirza), Nari Manekjee’s daughter Farzana Bhada (Nee Manekjee) & families
• Sydney (Australia): Bomi Wadia & Roshan wife of Porous Kolsawalas
• Kuwait: Porous Kohina and Pervez Mirza,
• London: Hutokshi Roowala
• Switzerland: Lily Roowala
• Hong Kong: Armin Dinshaw

Jehangir Baug the Gathering Place for Jhansi Zoroastrians

Members of the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman – (1942)

Following is a list of Members of the Jhansi Anjuman of 1942, kindly supplied By Katy Keki Khambatta Katy ( nee Kolah) left, translated from Gujarati into English by her daughter Farzana (photo right) . They live in Pune now.

Early Parsi Stalwarts of Jhansi

Some Early Photos of Jhansi

Sports in Jhansi

The Senior Railway Institute is a very popular meeting place for people in the early days, for sport, evening dances, parties and get together. The institute was restricted to mostly the Europeans and Anglo Indians and Parses were also allowed. It had all amenities from indoor games like table tennis, billiards, pool, carom, card facilities as well as luxurious bar etc

Cricket, like hockey badminton, table tennis, wild animal hunting, billiards, carom etc was a major sport the Parsis took keen interest in. In the British days a lot of the local Rajas used to sponsor the cricket teams & as per the older Jhansi people a lot of times teams from Jhansi used to be sponsored also to games in distant princely kingdoms, under the rulers patronage.Other time also Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings were family days & players would don their white cricket uniforms and with families and picninc hampers be off to the Senior Railway Institute or the Junior onw, for a full day of cricket and families having a great time with lots of food, frolic and fun. The games were played for the sake of fun and playing and it was more the camaraderie they used to play for, then aggressive combat as in today’s game

At the Railway institute and cantonment club, cricket was an event each weekend. The whole family would go and it was a picnic time, with huge Tiffins of gourmet food, which the ladies served and the men coming off the fields always had a good supply of. These weekends were a fun time to relax, keep fit, meet others and enjoy life. Friendships were forged and strengthened, relationships built up that lasted a life time & a good point for young people to meet and form relationships also.

Cawas uncle was a natural player and according to Dhanji Anklesaria was one of the best cricketers with a natural grasp of the game, he has ever seen. Funnily he used to bat right handed and bowl extremely well with the left hand. Along with his brothers they had a trio of cricket fanatics, in the family. The brothers used to play a lot of cricket with the neighbouring teams of Princely kingdoms also.

There are a lot of interesting cricketing stories in the family and our cousin Percy Pestonji, Dali uncles son in fact almost went up to the Ranji trophy tournaments and was an excellent wicket keeper and batsman.

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Jhansi Hockey teams visit to Lucknow: From left standing are Homai Engineer, Zerin Bhagat, unknown, unknown, behind is Goolu Mirza, front in floral frock centre is Hansu Bhagat, lady in black sari & coat is Dolly Elavia, Bapsy Mirza & Maxine Barnes & others

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The Romantic Days of Indian Railways – Then & Now

Many a Parsi Engine driver operated these engines for their livelihood, and most times they excelled in their work with dedication and excellence. We have recorded examples of many a famous personality being engaged in conversation with the drivers en-route to New Delhi & Jhansi drivers were driving the trains Minoo Mirza was driving a similar engine when Dr. Rajendra Prasad, free India's First President was travelling to Delhi, the train was running late & the President was anxious to be in Delhi, so Minoo used his skills and ensured the President reached Delhi on time. The grateful president personally came and thanked him on the engine.

Similarly Dali Pestonji was on engine when Shree (Mr.) Morarjee Desai, then Prime Minister of India, travelling from Agra to Delhi, came to the engine and our Dali Uncle offered to have the Prime Minister come on engine for the trip, which as the PM later recounted to him was a hugely memorable experience. Incidentally Dali uncle also secured an interview with the Prime Minister for later on and requested his intervention in getting our family home, then a local post office released, so he could retire and use it. Incidentally that house is where our Pesi Uncle resides now

My uncles Cawas, Dali, Kaku, Darab & Dosu & lots of other Jhansi Parsis earned their living driving these engines up and down from Jhansi. Most runs were up to Delhi & Itarsi on the mail passenger's trains, like Punjab Mail. Jhansi drivers would change over, rest and return back on another train run back to Jhansi. As children we used to watch in awe our uncles open their huge metal trunks (luggage) which were like modern safes with compartments for books, pens, clothes, torch etc and if we were lucky and uncle was in a good generous mood we would get some novelty to us like a gooseberry, dry nuts or special Delhi halwa etc or the seasonal fruit. Both my Sara Kakis (Aunts), very loving & very caring women who looked after their husbands & children. Family life revolved around the males a lot, depending on their "line" runs & quiet had to be maintained when an engine driver returned back from a run, so he could catch up on his lost sleep.

Jhansi Engine Drivers

Jimmy used to drive these and later the diesel and Electric engines also. Most train runs for the Jhansi drivers would originate from Jhansi, train runs going up to Delhi, to the north & Itarsi to the south. These are the Romantic steam engines, operated on huge coal fired boilers & if the driver wanted more steam, more coal had to be shovelled by the assistants speedily. The coal particles used to smear ones clothing and so you see all three engine operators wearing head bandannas. Drivers were expected to maintain speed limits on the tracks, obey the signals and directions given, keep records, maintain logs, liaise with the guard, maintain signal communications with the passing by railway station masters on the lines, by means of signal flags & non verbal communications, keep engine working to best optimum, keep a watchful eye on all gauges, record readings on instruments, maintain safety and other issues. All at the same time & ensure the engine stayed on track. On the Indian railway tracks a lot of rural animals, scavenging birds & even people were killed by the roaring trains passing by. Skilled drivers on off duty and sitting in the train can actually even tell you when a bird or animal has been killed by the engine, listening by the sound change on the tracks.

The Engine Drivers' assistants were called Firemen as their primary task in these engines was to shovel coal into the boiler firebox & the term still refers to them although the engines are now run on electricity and no naked fires are there. Modern engine lingo calls them Assistant engine operators.

This is a true story from Indian Railways.

Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj divisional railway office in 1909.
It is on display at the Railway Museum in New Delhi.
It was also reproduced under the caption "Travelers' Tales" in the Far Eastern Economic Review

Okhil Babu's letter to the Railway Department:

"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my belly is too much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went to privy.
Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle blow for train to go off and I am running with 'lotah' in one hand and 'dhoti' in the next when I am fall over and expose all my shocking to man and female women on plateform.
I am got leaved at Ahmedpur station.

This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam guard not wait train five minutes for him.
I am therefore pray your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake. Otherwise I am making big report! to papers."

Any guesses why this letter was of historic value?

It apparently led to the introduction of toilets on trains

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Engine Driver Jimmy Bhagat

These photos show Jimmy Bhagat and his firemen assistants on the Railway engine. Jimmy used to drive these and later the diesel and Electric engines also. Most train runs for the Jhansi drivers would originate from Jhansi, train runs going up to Delhi, to the north & Itarsi to the south. These are the Romantic steam engines, operated on huge coal fired boilers & if the driver wanted more steam, more coal had to be shovelled by the assistants speedily. The coal particles used to smear ones clothing and so you see all three engine operators wearing head bandannas. Drivers were expected to maintain speed limits on the tracks, obey the signals and directions given, keep records, maintain logs, liaise with the guard, maintain signal communications with the passing by railway station masters on the lines, by means of signal flags & non verbal communications, keep engine working to best optimum, keep a watchful eye on all gauges, record readings on instruments, maintain safety and other issues. All at the same time & ensure the engine stayed on track. On the Indian railway tracks a lot of rural animals, scavenging birds & even people were killed by the roaring trains passing by. Skilled drivers on off duty and sitting in the train can actually even tell you when a bird or animal has been killed by the engine, listening by the sound change on the tracks. The Engine Drivers' assistants were called Firemen as their primary task in these engines was to shovel coal into the boiler firebox & the term still refers to them although the engines are now run on electricity and no naked fires are there. Modern engine lingo calls them Assistant engine operators. The above right side railway station is Morena, from where a lot of the Jhansi Parsi s was connected. The Boyce family came from here, and as did a lot of Railway engine drivers and guards of Jhansi who were transferred to and from this place. Photo taken in August 2007

Signal cabins like these were very crucial communication centres for Engine drivers, especially when they were passing by a station and not halting. Signalmen manning these would be signalling with coloured green or red flags, to the driver to give them a go ahead, signal clearance, much like the Control tower operator does for aeroplanes. If signals were wrongly given major accidents could take place. Most cabin men also physically operated lines changing with huge mechanical levers to guide the oncoming train on to the correct track line. With modern technology things have changed though.

Modern day Engine Driver Rony Dick Many a Parsi Engine driver operated these engines for their livelihood, and most times they excelled in their work with dedication and excellence. Rony Jehangir Dick, like his father, grandfather and elder brother was an Engine driver. After an illustrious service of over 40 years he was presented with a Railway medal and certificate. As with most drivers he started at the bottom of the ladder and rose to be a senior driver. He is also President of the Jhansi Anjuman and has done a lot of good work of bringing Jhansi into the lime light amongst the other Anjumans and the Federation

Diesel Engine & Me Diesel powered engines like this one, were fundamentally the prime movers, between the older coal fired boiler engines that our grandfather and later Uncles drove and the electric engines of modern India. From around the 1970s to the late 90s these engines were instrumental in providing the prime movement for trains in northern India, replaced by the Electric engines now. More powerful and cleaner then coal fired boiler engines, however less romantic and nostalgic, then steam power, ones, but very fuel efficient. Most of our cousins like Jimmy Bhagat, the brothers Rony & Jimmy Dick & many other Jhansi drivers in the last 2 decades retired on these types of engines

Annoo Pestonji and Her Scooter Anoo daughter of Sera & Cawas Pestonji & sister of Dara, poses next to her scooter. The Jhansi girls for their time were pretty modern, fashionably dressed, Anglo influenced & excelled in sports also. Anno is married to Yezdi Edelbehram and lives in Dadar Mumbai. She has a daughter Natasha married to Adil living in Andheri. Note the smart fashion of the day.

Some of the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman Members Activities Photo is taken at a Sunday religious class & childrens activity day out in morning at the Jehangir Hall & Dharamsala. Standing left rear: Mrs Daruwala (in frock ) Mrs. Dolly Merchant, Mrs. Zerin Merchant, Mrs. Naju Patel, Master Neville Merchant, Mr. Dosu Elavia, Mr. Keki B. Pestonji, Mr. Adi Engineer and Mr. Behram Anklesaria. Standing front row: Starting from Young Boy in chequered shirt & 2 pockets, Farokh K. Pestonji, Fredy Merchant, Mrs. Zerin Dick, Miss. Kashmira Maneckjee, Mrs. Mani Bhagat, (in specs & sari, behind) Miss Roshni Bhagat, Mrs. Freny Anklesaria, & Rony Dick. Sitting rear row: Miss. Beroz Daruwala, Miss Tanaz Bhagalia, Miss Diana Daruwala, Miss. Peris, Miss. Alice, Miss Dinaz Bhagat (Large collar frock) Master Neville Dick, Master Firdoz, Master Tubin, Master Freddy Bhagalia Children front row (from left to right): Master Zubin Patel (looking down), Miss Goolnaz Dick, Miss. Monaz Patel, Master Farhad Dick, Miss Yasmin Sethna, Miss____, Miss Dimple Bhagat (Right hand on cheek).

Three Generations  - One family

Photo Left : Kersi - Kaiku Bhagat (seated left) & Jehangir Pestonji Olia probably photo taken in early 30's. This photo shows the fashions of the day. All of Jehangir uncles 's photos show him to be very well attired and a debonairly dressed person. According to my father, he was a strict disciplinarian and was strict with all his brothers for self-control, manners and respect. He dabbled in a few businesses and also had the Singer sewing machine agency in Sadar Bazar in Jhansi

Photo centre : Standing are Zerin Bhagat her mum Mani Bhagat, Sera Cawas Pestonji & daughter Anno Pestonji. Sitting are Hunsu & Rosy Bhagat.

Photo right: Flowers girls for a catholic friends wedding. Standing behind are sisters Dinaz & Roshni Bhagat. Standing front are Goolnaz & Farhad Dick & Dimple Bhagat.The three photos show same family members - generations apart. Note the distinctive dress difference. Zerin in photo in centre is mother of Goolnaz & Farhad in photo right.

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Kakau Bhagat is Zerin, Hunsu & Rosy’s  father & grandfather to all the children on right

Welcome to the Faith  --   My Navjote on 19 Oct 1969

Elegant Ladies of Jhansi

Lady on left is Shera Mai Driver, my Dad's cousin who used to live in Boyce compound. Lady seated is Tehmina sister of Minoo Mirza. Sheramai was very instrumental in prodding me to read, study hard and at one time gave me a cutting of the Times of India dated around circa 1930 with an article on the Ranee of Jhansi. She goaded me that if a woman can be so brave and daring, fight for truth under such harsh condition, you too can do so. This has stuck to my mind till today. My personal contact with her was around 1971 when we moved to the Civil lines house as a 10 year old boy. She would regularly come and visit us and stay overnight also at times. She was a spinster and moulded in the old school of decency, discipline, self control and living in a humble manner. She tended to her aged mother with extreme love and care and lived in the same house after her passing away. She was quiet fond of gardening and had a “Sitafal (custard apple) tree” which produced sweet sitafals, which most Parsees and neighbours always had an ample share of the lovely fruits. She was quiet a religious person and prayers were her major solace and support, especially in the old age. As a young boy, I remember vividly that we had a change of the local Ervad saheb (Zoroastrian Priest) in Jhansi & she met the new priest and informed him that he must pray slowly and not like a mail train, for her mothers prayers or else he would be in trouble. She never had electricity installed in her house as it would spoil her eyes, a popular belief of the time. One evening she had come over to our house to stay overnight, as usual and went to sleep, but never woke up. She met her Maker in the most wonderful and peaceful manner in her sleep. It was quiet a thing for a young boy like me at the time, but her serenity, peaceful manner and strong personality are still sharply embedded in my memory. May Ahura Mazda, Bless her soul as well as all our other Jhansi Zoroastrians. She was a governess to the Boyce children

Oldest Graves of Parsis in Jhansi

In the area near the Judges compound in Jhansi, in the area called Kutcheri (The Judiaciary) there are 4 graves, and as per Phiroze Boyce they belong to the earliest Zoroastrians who when deceased were buried at this place. At that time the Jhansi Zoroastrian Aramgarh was not there. So these people were buried at this site. Unfortunately there are no headstones or any type of inscription to be found on the graves. In 2007 when on my visit to Jhansi Filly Boyce very graciously, with most physical difficulty took me to the site and it was an awesome experience, to be at the spot. I just prayed for the deceased and hoped their souls would be in peace. If anyone has any information on this issue we would love to hear from you

Some Early Photos of Jhansi

Bishop's Quarters

Initiation & installation of the Holy Mother Marys statue

St. Jude's Church

The church was erected in free India, but this residence is typically British of the earlier times. We would like to know for who & what the original building was erected for?

The Parsis & the British population, the Anglo Indians & local Christians had a very close community bon homie and participated keenly in social activities together. The evening parties would have common friends and as they all worked together in the Railways, the children also were close friends not just being neighbours but also sharing similar schools. The living residences, i.e. Bungalows were all close by and easy reach within a walk or cycle way. In later days the American fashions of the 1960s did influence the teens and a bit rebelliously, as in all parts of the world then, with tight pants, long hair & the influence of Elvis Priestley & the Beatles. A lot of the families of Parsees were indirectly also affected by the second world war & the returning soldiers had seen a part of the world which they would talk about to the local Parsees. One such was Tehmuras Bhagat, a quiet soldier gentleman, who used to wear his army beret and award badges at times for functions, but i was too young, around 9 years old, to realise any significance. Alas.

Railway Officer's Bungalow - Railway Colony

This structure is typically the old Railway Officers & Engine Driver's/Guard's, bungalow, with huge rooms, large verandas, high ceilings to keep the Indian summer heat out, on the hot days, large open areas in front and back of the house. In a house like this, three generations of Pestonjis lived and very many fond memories are still treasured by all cousins. Note the chimney on top for the fire-place, as winters again are extremely cold in Jhansi. Most houses had nice laid out gardens in front and poultry and farm animals in the rear and separate servant's quarters. Most families had vegetable gardens, reared goats, geese, even cows, pets like dogs and cats, horses etc.

The Tonga - Horse & Carriage

This is a Tonga, a horse driven cart which probably is a modern version of the ancient chariots of the kings and warriors. During the time from around 1900 to almost 1970, it was the main mode of transport in Jhansi. Normally seats 3 people comfortably, but more can be squeezed in as per the Tongawalas economic condition and whims and the horses physical condition. This photo shows a very basic tonga, there used to be others normally very fancily decorated and with more comfortable seats. Tongas are a very rare sight in major urban metropolis's now and this one probably is a rarity also. In their heyday, they were in great demand; most rich locals would have their own, like we have motor cars now, with foot board men, horseman etc. Our Jai aunty had one too and stories are told of the Boyce family kids and elders riding out each day, all dressed up, for an evening outing through the streets of Jhansi, pre independence days. Most tonga owners were Afghan Muslims who used to have fleets of these plying for trade.

RANDOM PHOTOS OF THE EARLY PARSIS

Rustam Bhagat, a famous and strong personality in his times, lived later on in Kanpur all alone, a bachelor, like two of his other brothers Tehmuras who was in the army & had taken active part during the World war II & Faram who was with the regional Transport department .On his passing away his dead body had to be brought over to Jhansi where he was buried in the local Armgarh

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Jehangir Olia and family group photos

Dali later joined the railways as a fireman & rose to be a senior, very highly respected and loved person. Every one but his family called him “Dolly Pestonji”. He was always ready to assist anyone anytime, however he was quiet a disciplinarian also & his nephews specially, used to be in awe of him. A large hearted lion of Jhansi.

Pestonji Bothers

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