Indian census of 1921, Parsi population details and what the census commissioner and superintendent mentioned about Parsis.

The census of India in 1921 was conducted under the able supervision of Indian census commissioner J. P. Marten and Bombay census superintendent L. J. Sedgwick. They mentioned the following about Parsis:

L. J. Sedgwick (Bombay Census superintendent): The case of Zoroastrians is most noticeable. The survival value of the Parsees is very high. It was found when studying the Bombay city population that whereas in the city population as a whole the Zoroastrian percentage is 4.4, in the age groups 55 and over it is 8.8 and in the age groups 65 and over it is 17. The Parsee community has been gradually changing in age distribution during several decades. But though the survival value is high and though number of Zoroastrians increased at this census, yet the value of the lowest age groups distinctly suggests a danger ahead. The age distribution for all European countries is given at pg 63 of the report of the 1911 census of England and Wales. From the figures there given it will be seen that the Parsee age distribution (even assuming that the deficiency in group 0-5 is temporary only) is more unfavourable in the lower age groups than that of any European country except France. So long as the community holds its own as it did at this census it is all right. But the point of equilibrium might be passed some day, and the community may begin to diminish in numbers.

The census of 1921 indicate clearly that the Parsis are a longer-lived race than any other in Bombay city. Five times as many Parsis per thousand living to the age of 65 as any other community save only Christians and there the comparison is as 15 to 4. Some idea of longevity of this community will be gained when it is mentioned that the percentage of Parsis to the total population is 4.5 percent. In the age groups 55 and over it is 8.8 percent and in age groups 65 and over it is 17 percent. In other words, one in every 22 or 23 persons in Bombay is a Parsi; but of persons over 65 years of age one in every six.

This religion, rather contrary to expectations, increased at this census. The actual increase of 2.3%, shows that the supposed decadence of Parsees is possibly exaggerated. The contrast between the increase of Zoroastrians and the decrease of Hindus and Mahomedans is explained by the distribution of the former.

It will be seen that this religion more than any other is confined to Bombay city and Gujarat coast, where the Influenza mortality was slight. The increase of 1868 ? is composed of 1516 males and 452 females, the unequal sex increase being no doubt again due to the loss of females by Influenza.

J. P. Marten (Indian census commissioner): The percentage of Zoroastrians steadily diminishes. This is natural. Christians are kept up by increase in the number of Europeans and Anglo-Indians, whereas in the case of Zoroastrians although there is a said to inflow of that religion from the coast regions to the north, such a movement is not very considerable.

The census also indicates that fewer Parsees per cent are married than members of other communities. Whereas 61% of Hindus and 56% Mahomedans are married only 40% Parsees are married, while the proportion of widows 8% is greater than all other communities.

The Bombay Sanitory commissioner : The Parsi community is comparatively small and the standard of education among them being high, it may be assumed that the bulk of Parsi infants are registered at birth and yet their infantile mortality amounted to 199 deaths per 1000 births. Since this rate prevails among the better classes in Bombay the fact has got to be faced that for the city as a whole including, as it does, an unduly large proportion of the very poorest class, the infantile mortality cannot after every allowance has been made for previous sources of fallacy, be fairly estimated at less than 500 which means that of every two infants born, one has to die before reaching the age of 12 months.

Source: Parsee Prakash Vol VI - Part I