Irani
Encyclopedia
The Iranis are an ethno-religious community in South Asia
; descendants of Zoroastrians
who emigrated from Iran
to South Asia
within the last few centuries. They are culturally, linguistically and socially distinct from the Parsis, who - although also Zoroastrians - arrived on the subcontinent over 1,200 years ago. The Parsis and Iranis may also be considered legally distinct. This is based in part on a 1909 obiter dictum
that, among many other issues relating to the Indian Zoroastrians, also observed that Iranis (of the now defunct Bombay Presidency
) were not obliged to uphold the decisions of the then-regulatory Parsi Panchayat
.
Although the term 'Irani' is first attested during the Mughal era
, most Iranis are descendants of immigrants who arrived on the subcontinent during the 19th and early 20th centuries, that is, when Iran was ruled by the Qajars and when religious persecution of non-Muslims was rampant. The descendants of the immigrants of those times remain culturally and linguistically closer to the Zoroastrians of Iran
, in particular to the Zoroastrians of Yazd
and Kerman
. Consequently, the Dari
dialect of the Zoroastrians of those provinces may also be heard amongst the Iranis.
In India, the Iranis are located mostly in and around the city of Mumbai
, while in Pakistan they are most commonly residents of Karachi
and Lahore
. They are famous for their restaurants and tea-houses (see 'Irani café
s' for details). Most Iranis have 'Irani' as a surname, but this is not always the case.
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
; descendants of Zoroastrians
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
who emigrated from Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
to South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
within the last few centuries. They are culturally, linguistically and socially distinct from the Parsis, who - although also Zoroastrians - arrived on the subcontinent over 1,200 years ago. The Parsis and Iranis may also be considered legally distinct. This is based in part on a 1909 obiter dictum
Obiter dictum
Obiter dictum is Latin for a statement "said in passing". An obiter dictum is a remark or observation made by a judge that, although included in the body of the court's opinion, does not form a necessary part of the court's decision...
that, among many other issues relating to the Indian Zoroastrians, also observed that Iranis (of the now defunct Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
) were not obliged to uphold the decisions of the then-regulatory Parsi Panchayat
Panchayati Raj
The panchayat raj is a South Asian political system mainly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. "Panchayat" literally means assembly of five wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. Traditionally, these assemblies settled disputes between individuals and villages...
.
Although the term 'Irani' is first attested during the Mughal era
Mughal era
The Mughal era is a historic period of the Mughal Empire in South Asia . It ran from the early 15th century to a point in the early 18th century when the Mughal Emperors' power had dwindled...
, most Iranis are descendants of immigrants who arrived on the subcontinent during the 19th and early 20th centuries, that is, when Iran was ruled by the Qajars and when religious persecution of non-Muslims was rampant. The descendants of the immigrants of those times remain culturally and linguistically closer to the Zoroastrians of Iran
Zoroastrians in Iran
Zoroastrians in Iran are the oldest religious community of the nation, with a long history continuing up to the present day.Prior to the Islamization of Iran, Zoroastrianism was the primary religion of the Iranian peoples...
, in particular to the Zoroastrians of Yazd
Yazd
Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province in Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan. At the 2006 census, the population was 423,006, in 114,716 families....
and Kerman
Kerman
- Geological characteristics :For the Iranian paleontologists, Kerman has always been considered a fossil paradise. Finding new dinosaur footprints in 2005 has now revealed new hopes for paleontologists to better understand the history of this area.- Economy :...
. Consequently, the Dari
Dari (Zoroastrian)
Dari is a Northwestern Iranian ethnolect spoken as a first language by an estimated 8,000 to 15,000 Zoroastrians in and around the cities of Yazd and Kerman in central Iran...
dialect of the Zoroastrians of those provinces may also be heard amongst the Iranis.
In India, the Iranis are located mostly in and around the city of Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, while in Pakistan they are most commonly residents of Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
and Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. They are famous for their restaurants and tea-houses (see 'Irani café
Irani café
Irani cafes or Iranian cafes are Iranian or Persian style cafes in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. They were originally opened by Persian immigrants to India in the 19th century...
s' for details). Most Iranis have 'Irani' as a surname, but this is not always the case.
Notable Iranis
Notable members of the Irani community include:- Anosh IraniAnosh IraniAnosh Irani is an Indian-Canadian novelist and playwright. An Irani , he was born and raised in Mumbai, although he has indicated that he personally prefers the city's traditional English name, Bombay...
, Indo-Canadian novelist - Ardeshir IraniArdeshir IraniKhan Bahadur Ardeshir Irani ; popularly known as Ardeshir Irani, was a writer, director, producer, actor, film distributor, film showman and cinematographer in the silent and sound eras of early Indian cinema. He was renowned for making films in Hindi, Telugu, English, German, Indonesian, Persian,...
, director of the first Indian sound film, Alam AraAlam AraAlam Ara is a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir Irani. It was the first Indian sound film.Irani recognized the importance that sound would have on the cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films. Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai on March 14, 1931...
- Aruna IraniAruna IraniAruna Irani is an Indian actress. An accomplished actress and dancer of her time, Aruna Irani has acted in about 300 movies, with many memorable acting performances to her credit...
, Bollywood actress - Bakhtiyaar IraniBakhtiyaar IraniBhakhtyar Irani is an Indian Parsee film and television actor struggler and has participated in Indian Television Reality Shows. He has appeared in the reality dance series Nach Baliye , paired with his wife Tanaaz Irani...
, TV Actor - Boman IraniBoman IraniBoman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
, Bollywood actor - Daisy IraniDaisy Irani (actress)Daisy Irani is a famous former Bollywood and Kollywood child artiste in the 1950s and 1960s. Born into a Zoroastrian family, she is the sister of writer director Honey Irani....
, Bollywood child actress of the 50's and 60's - Delnaaz Irani, Bollywood actress
- Dinshah Irani, Zoroastrian leader who provided aid to the Zoroastrian community of IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. - Honey IraniHoney Irani-Personal life and background:Honey Irani was born into a Zoroastrian family on January 17, 1950. She was married to Javed Akhtar. Although the marriage ended in divorce, it produced two children, son Farhan Akhtar and daughter Zoya Akhtar. Both her children are critically acclaimed Indian...
, Screenwriter (Krrish) - Jenni IraniJenni IraniJamshed Khudadad Irani was a cricketer who represented India as a wicket-keeper in Test cricket....
(Jamshed Khudadad Irani), cricketer - Jamshed Irani (Jamshed J. Irani, KBE), former MD, Tata Steel
- Karishmeh FelfeliKarishmeh FelfeliKarishmeh Felfeli is a radio broadcaster, pianist, vocalist and creator of , a critically acclaimed classical music and arts radio program for Dublin City FM...
, western classical pianist and radio broadcaster - Meher BabaMeher BabaMeher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age....
(Merwan Sheriar Irani), mystic - Ronnie IraniRonnie IraniRonald Charles "Ronnie" Irani is a former England cricketer who spent most of his career at Essex County Cricket Club, latterly as captain. He is of Irani descent, the Iranis being a community of Persian Zoroastrians who immigrated to India during the British Raj...
, cricketer - Sanaya IraniSanaya IraniSanaya Irani is an Indian actress known for her roles in television series such as Miley Jab Hum Tum and Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi. She had gained much popularity as Sameera in Left Right Left. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Sanaya appeared in various advertisements and modeling...
, TV Actress - Tanaaz Irani, Actress