Who brought Zoroastrianism into India?

Answer 1

Zoroastrianism was in India at the time of the Achamenids and possibly before. Ancient texts mention the Kambojas, a tribal people who lived in the region of Taxila (Takshashila) and practiced Zoroastrianism. their presence was noted well into the time of the Gupta Empire and they lived side by side with Hindus, Buddhists and others.

Successive waves of Zoroastrians came to the Subcontinent at various times in history, mostly as merchants from the Zoroastrian Iranian lands of Soghdia, Bactria and the Parthian-Persian Empires. They lived and traded there mostly in the cities of Northern India.

After the conquest of Persia and Iranian Central Asia by Arab-Islamic armies, Zoroastrianism was frequently suppressed and relegated to second-class status by Islamic authorites and shari'a law. Lack of opportunities and equal rights and heavy Jyzzya taxation imposed on non mohammedans, and sporadic outbreaks of violence against Zoroastrians by mohammedans prompted many to seek welcome in lands where they could practice their religion freely and on equal footing with the rest of the population.

In the 10th century, a group of Zoroastrians departed from Khorassan, the region adjoining Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan and landed in northwestern India and evenutally settled in Gujarat.

Successive waves arrived subsequent to the 10th century migration from Khorasan from various parts of the former Sassanian Persian Empire. Some migrants from Tabarestan (the modern region of Mazandaran in northern Iran) founded Now-Sari (New Sari) in honor of their former home.

Over the course of the next few centuries, more Zoroastrians arrived from Iran and Afghanistan, especially after the brutal rule of the Saffavids who sought to wipe out Zoroastrianism from Persia. Waves of migrants continued to arrive until the time of the Qajars. These latecomers are known as "Iranis" whereas the people descended from earlier times are known as "Parsis".