Endearing colloquial term for
male members of India’
s Parsi community. Bawas are followers of the Zoroastrian faith who immigrated to India from
Iran (Persia) in the 7th Century to escape religious persecution. They have maintained a distinct cultural identity ever since, while contributing significantly to India’s economy, food and cultural diversity. Prominent Bawas include: Sam Manekshaw, Chief of
Army Staff; JRD Tata, Indian industrialist and founder of Air India and the Tata Group; and Homi Bhabha,
father of India’s nuclear program and Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission.