Persia King and Parsi Priest, 100 years ago!

On 19^th Aban 1304, His Imperial Highness Reza Khan spoke to Dr. Jivanji Modi as follows:

I am glad that for the past two years, Parsis of India have turned their attention toward Persia and are coming to their own dear country. If in past, they were forced away from the country and obliged to live far away, today, the country is in such a position to invite and recall all who are scattered in foreign lands, especially, the Zoroastrians who are real Persians and very strongly attached to this soil and land.

[more about Sir Jamshedji Modi: https://web.archive.org/web/20090912062837/http://www.zav.org.au/pages/heroes/jivanji.htm]

I Promise to be kind to all and to give them every assistance which for the welfare of the country, nation and themselves, in such a manner that the country may be benefited by the Parsis and the Parsis may also derive great profits and pleasures from the country.

Today this country needs to gather her children within herself, so that they may try for her grandeur and prosperity and at the same time her true children are in need of deriving profits from this soil and water.

I specially request you to take my message to the Parsee brothers and sisters and to invite them here with full confidence, their mind and thought in returning to Persia, so that gradually they will return to the land and their ancestors. There is no doubt that all the Zoroastrians are Persians and have great enthusiasm must be put in action by their coming and taking part in serving their country and at the same time deriving profits.

Dr. Sir Ervad Jivanji Jamshedji Modi was a distinguished Zoroastrian priest, scholar, and community leader known for his extensive contributions to the study of Zoroastrianism and Persian culture. His work in the field of Zoroastrian studies, including research on ancient texts, rituals, and history, has been highly influential. Sir Jivanji Modi was recognized for his scholarly achievements with numerous awards and honors, including knighthood by the British government. He was deeply committed to the preservation and promotion of Zoroastrian heritage and made significant efforts to educate both the Zoroastrian community and the wider world about the religion’s teachings, traditions, and cultural significance.