Bij de Parsi's van Bombay en Gudsjerat De Aarde en haar Volken, 1909-1910

In this vivid ethnographic account, the author immerses listeners in the world of the Parsi community of Bombay and Gujarat during the turn of the twentieth century. Drawing on personal observations made in 1900, the narrative explains how a small group of Persian refugees preserved their ancient Zoroastrian faith while adapting to life on the Indian coast. The listener learns about the dualistic theology of Ahura Mazda and Ahriman, the monotheistic core of the religion, and how these ideas shape daily conduct.

Beyond doctrine, the work paints a picture of Parsi social life: their tight‑knit families, charitable wealth, and the distinctive ceremonies of sacred thread‑wearing and marriage. It also touches on the community’s self‑perception as a privileged yet responsible minority within the broader Indian society, highlighting their political influence and westernising tendencies. The description remains grounded in the early years of the author's fieldwork, inviting curiosity about a culture that balances tradition with modernity.