The present article is devoted to the history of the community of Zarathustrians of Poona (Maharashtra). Although invidual Parsi settlers had appeared there also in earlier times, their presence became clearly manifested there at the beginning of the 19th century and has continuously lasted in that city for more than two centuries now. The first fire temple in Poona was established in 1824. However, not only fire temples and towers of silence marked Zarathustrians’ arrival. One of the precepts of their religion is charity and the Parsi community have engaged in it on the Indian land for centuries. Some of wealthy Parsis have arranged for extensive water works or supported the construction of educational institutions and hospitals. The Zarathustrian community have been contributing to the development of Poona exactly in this way, thus becoming part and parcel of the history of the city.
