Location(s)

Kensington
London
W14 9AX
United Kingdom

About

The Zoroastrian Association was founded in 1861 in Kensington, London. According to Ralph Hinnells it was the first Asian religious association founded in Britain.

Dadabhai Naoroji was the first President, having founded the association with Muncherjee Hormusji Cama. The first meeting was attended by fifteen Parsees. Under the presidency of M. M. Bhownaggree, it became the Incorporated Parsee Association of Europe. Various other Parsee organizations formed in Britain as well, such as the Parsee Social Union and the World Zoroastrian Association.

The Zoroastrian Association incorporated a religious, social and welfare role with educational outreach. It also organized social outings. It oversaw Parsee burials at Brockwood. The Zoroastrian House in Kensington provided facilities as a guesthouse.

Hinnells, John R., Zoroastrians in Britain (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996)

Hinnells, John R., Zoroastrians Diaspora: Religion and Migration (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005)

Hinnells, John R. and Ralph, Omar, Bhownaggree Member of Parliament 18951906 (London: Hansib, 1995)

Visram, Rozina, Asians in Britain: 400 Years of History (London: Pluto Press, 2002)

Image credit

© Remaking Britain: South Asian Connections and Networks, 1930s – present

Citation: ‘Zoroastrian Association’, South Asian Britain, https://southasianbritain-demo.rit.bris.ac.uk/organizations/zoroastrian-association/. Accessed: 5 July 2025.

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