The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha, also known as the Religious Reform Association, was established in 1851 by a group of English-educated Parsis with the goal of regenerating the social conditions of the Parsis and restoring the Zoroastrian religion to its original purity. The movement sought to achieve these aims by implementing both religious and social reforms.
Key Figures:
- The leaders of the movement included prominent figures such as Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama, and S.S. Bengalee.
Aims and Activities:
- Religious Reforms: The movement aimed to reform Parsi religious rituals and practices and redefine the Parsi creed.
- Social Reforms: The movement sought to improve the social conditions of Parsis, particularly focusing on the status of Parsi women. They worked to eliminate the purdah system, increase the age of marriage, and promote education.
- Publication: The message of reform was spread through the newspaper Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller), which played a significant role in disseminating the ideals and goals of the movement.
Impact:
- The movement contributed to the westernization of the Parsi community and their emergence as one of the most progressive and modernized sections of Indian society.