Historically, the microscopic Parsi community in India has always regarded physical recreation as the most important form of bodily fitness. Their inborn talent for sports and games has often led them to the maidans and gymkhanas across the country where they trained and excelled in various sporting activities.
Parsis were the first in India to take to the game of cricket, way back in the 1840s. In fact, an All-Parsi cricket team twice defeated the visiting English teams to India – once in 1890, led by George Vernon and then in 1892, led by Lord Martin Hawke, the only two losses experienced during their respective tours to India in the 19th century! The likes of Jam Sahib Sir Ranjitsinhji of Nawanagar and the sons of Maharaja Shyaji Rao Gaikwad of Baroda were all trained by Parsi coaches who actively helped in popularizing the game of cricket in India.
In lawn tennis too, Parsi men and women displayed their talent when, in 1903, Jamsetjee Marker defeated the reigning world champion, Gilbert Browne to win the World’s Rackets Championship and went on to retain the title for eight long years, indeed an incredible record for a native Indian! Dr S M Captain was another swashbuckling player who won the Grant Medical College Badminton Championship (1927 & 1928), All-Bombay Badminton Challenge (1928 & 1930) and Inter Gymkhana Seers Badminton Cup for Dadar Parsi Colony (1932 & 1933).
Lady Meherbai Tata, wife of Sir Dorabji Jamsetji Tata, one of the first lady tennis player of repute in India, nearly won the coveted Western India Tennis Championship. Despite her Sari-clad attire, this elegant Parsi lady player often amazed spectators in England and in India by her dexterous performances. Likewise, young Perin Dinshaw from Karachi was a brilliant tennis player who won several tournaments including the North-Western India Championship for three consecutive years from 1931 to 1934.
Although horse-racing started in Bombay way back in 1798, Parsis took to the sport much later in 1883 when Cursetji Dhanjishaw, Nusserwanji Icewala and Cooverjee Contractor became first owners of race-horses which they ran under the nomenclature ‘C-N-C’, after their first-name initials. Later, the likes of Kaikhasru Irani, who died prematurely in a race-course accident in 1915, proved to be an outstanding jockey. Byramji Rustomji Irani and his grandson Rashid Byramji were also distinguished world-class horse trainers during the mid-20th century. In fact, Bangalore-based Rashid Byramji amassed a jaw-dropping tally of 3,170 wins including 231 classics, 10 Indian Derby winners and 12 Indian Invitation Cup winners.
Parsis have also excelled in swimming since 1876, having won several national and international awards. In fact, in 1822, Lt Gen Sir James Outram who was on the point of drowning in the Bombay harbour, was saved by a Parsi! In Dec 1931, Noshir Dalal demonstrated endurance by swimming for 19 hours and 15 minutes non-stop and was also awarded a ‘Gold Medal of the Humanitarian League’ for saving four fishermen from drowning in Bombay harbour. In 1894, siblings Dady and Framroze Golwala were the first Indians to become members of the Royal Life Saving Society of London. In 1931, Burjor Master swam nonstop for over 25 hours to set a Bombay record while in 1931, 15 years old lady-swimmer Ratti Daruwala set an endurance record in the women’s category for swimming nonstop in a controlled environment for 12 hours and 30 mins.
It was in 1952 that, for the very first time, two Indian women made history by representing India in women’s swimming competitions. Dolly Nazir, wife of Bangalore-based Rashid Byramji, was one amongst 33 competitors from 19 nations who represented India in the women’s 200 metres breaststroke event at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics in Finland. Only five swimmers represented India at the said Olympics out of which two were women, including Dolly Nazir, who also competed in 100 mts. freestyle.
In cycling too Parsis have won laurels around the world: Hormusji Soonawalla cycled across the length and breadth of India, starting in 1892. Likewise, in 1910, three Parsis – Jehangir Bam, Cawas Mehta and Jal Pochkhanawala, cycled from Peshawar to Bombay, a distance of almost 2,500 kms, in 21 days! In 1930, Cooverjee Patel covered a distance of almost 500 kms, riding nonstop on a push-bicycle for 50 hours and 45 minutes which was a world record then!
The courage and valour of some Parsi cyclists who pedalled around the world on a push-bicycle is notably significant. The perilous journey of the likes of Jal Bapasola, Adi Hakim & Rustom Bhumgara (1923 – 1928), Framroze Davar (1924 – 1931), Kekie Kharas, Rutton Shroff & Rustom Gandhi (1933 – 1942) and the author of this article who cycled around the world has made the community feel proud of their awe-inspiring achievements (Ref. ‘The Bicycle Diaries’ by Anoop Babani and Savia Viegas).
Spirited Shireen Kiash (nee Contractor) from Kolkata was India’s most versatile Parsi sportsperson, having represented India twice in Hockey, Basketball and Cricket against Australia in 1975. Besides, she also excelled in Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton and Carom.
While Indian sport of late has yet to produce new Parsi talent, names like Zenia Ayrton & Adille Sumariwala (Athletics), Karl Umrigar and Pesi Shroff (Jockey), Shahvir Tarapore and Piloo Reporter (Cricket umpires), Diana Eduljee and Arzan Nagwaswalla (Cricket), siblings Rohinton and Tehmton Gowadia (Bodybuilding), Vispy Kharadi (Steel Man of India); Viraf Panthaki and Kersi Kasad (Weightlifting), Farrokh Khodaiji and Burjor Khambatta (Table-tennis), Jimmy Mehta (Lawn tennis), Capt. Aspy Adajania (Boxing), Rehan Poacha (Swimming) and many more come to mind as they persevered to touch the pinnacle of sports excellence, and continue to serve as eternal inspirations to budding Parsi sportspersons today.
