Dastur D. Dhalla x Y.M.Z.A Library
The Dastur Dhalla x YMZA Library, is named after Karachi’s first Zoroastrian high priest, Dastur Dr. Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla who held this position for 47 years (1909-1956). The library holds the largest collection of Zoroastrian literature in Pakistan and was formed through Dastur Dhalla's personal collection of books and publications. The library is an amalgamation with the Young Mazdayasian Zoroastrian Association (YMZA), founded in 1910 under the leadership of Dastur Dhalla. The YMZA organized social and intellectual platforms for the Zoroastrian youth steering discourse on theology and rituals. Over the years, the collection has expanded through donations from Zoroastrian community members, particularly those affiliated with the Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund (KPATF) and the YMZA.
The collection is extensive, including books, journals, newsletters, and magazines which are no longer in print, and in very limited numbers. The material primarly consists of 20th century literature on ritualistic observations and chronological development of Zoroastrianism but it also includes documentation of community-oriented initiatives such as Parsi school concerts, symposiums, contributing essays by (then) Zoroastrian studies enthusiastis printed in publications such as the YMZA reports, the KPATF meeting minutes, and brochures of events. These publications chronicle the movements, hierachies of access, intellectual interests, businesses and lifestyles of Karachi's small but significant Zoroastrian community.
Among the some of the most valuable items in the library are leather bound manuscripts written in Old Gujarati, Pahlavi and Farsi, gifted to Dastur Dhalla by priests in India. In addition to the community-specific materials, the library holds a collection of academic resources which reflect Dastur Dhalla and many deceased Zoroastrian’s priests’ research.
The library primarily includes works deciphering Zoroastrian studies, liturgy and in Avestan literature by both South Asian and European scholars,and translations of key religious texts like the Gathas, the Khordeh Avesta, the Vendidad and Bundahishn. However, the library's holdings extend far beyond religious texts, with many shelves devoted to studies on British colonial rule, medicine, 20th century fiction, studies on trade, archaeology and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia as well as anthropological and geographical studies related to Pakistan and Sindh.
Publishers, copyright owners and titles of texts in the above excerpts:
The Divine Science of Navjote and Sudreh-Kushti by Ervad K.N. Dastur, June 1993, published by The Mazdeyasnie Connection, California, U.S.A.
Zoroastrian Etiquette by Adil F. Rangoonwalla (includes explanation of Kusti Prayers, Ayash Niyaesh, Hoshbam, and Chithrem Buyaad). Author and publisher: Adil Firoze Rangoonwalla, 2003. Printed at Union Press, 13 Homji Street, Mumbai
That’s Entertainment, A YMZA Presentation, Rex Auditorium, March 13, 1992. Printed and produced by Khurshid Printing Press, Karachi
Rahe Zarthostra, World’s Very First Prophet. Nine Knots on the Staff of Spitman Zarthostra. Published by Parsi Sansar & Loke Sevak.
The Journal of The Young Men’s Zoroastrian Association (Vol 1 No. 11).
Newspaper: Dokhmenashen—The Perfect Way to Go! by Pashmina M. Contractor, Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly, 20th June 1999
Parsis Ancient and Modern, Never Before Has So Much Been Achieved by So Few by F.K. Dadachanji, Karachi 1980. The Victoria Printing Works, Marston Road, Karachi
Parsis of Kurrachee: Story of a City and Its Parsi Pioneers by Dorab J. Patel, published by Informal Religious Meetings Trust Fund, 1994
The Teachings of Zarathustra: The Prophet of Iran on How to Think and Succeed in Life by T.R. Sethna, Second Edition Revised and Enlarged with Gathas in Roman Script, 1975. Published by T.R. Sethna, 46, Parsi Colony, Karachi, Pakistan
What Every Zoroastrian Should Understand Advanced Series Volume One; Cosmogony - Behramsha Shroff on Varana - Jzhirum. Mrs. Meher Master-Moos, M.A. (OXON), L.L.M. (Michigan), Barrister-at-Law, Advocate. Published under the auspices of Mazdayasne Monasterie. Behramsha Shroff Golden Anniversary Volume, Anno 7.7.1977 Domini
Youth Tracts: The Teachings of Zarathustra by Behram S.H.J. Rustomji, Vice Principal B.V.S. Parsi High School, Gen Sec Sind Secondary Teachers’ Association, Jt. Hon Secy, Fifth Parsi Youth Conference, Karachi. Published by The Fifth Parsi Youth Conference, Karachi, 1949
If Zoroaster Went to Berlin! by Maneck Pithawalla, B.A. B.S.C., Principal, Sirdar Dastur Hoshang High School, Poona, 1919. Printed by Ishwarial Kasanas Kapadia at Jain Vijaya Printing Press near Kharatia Chakla, Laxminnarayaru’s Wadi, SURAT. Published by Maneck Pithawalla at Rama Street, Navsari, 31-1-1919
The Gatha Translation: Comprising the Life of Saosyas, Marriage by Zoroaster in the Gatha, etc. Translated by Soshans. The Author of The Bible Truths or the Word of God and The History of Lord Jesus and the Resurrection (containing all the Hidden Truths of the Zoroastrian Pahlavi Texts). Printed by Hoshang T. Anklesaria at the Fort Printing Press, Fort, Bombay. Published by Lantin at Gogah Street, Fort, Bombay, 1919
A Survey of Work Done in India and Outside During the Last Twenty-Five Years in the Field of Iranian Studies by J.M. Unvala, Ph.D. Reprinted from Progress of Indic Studies 1917-1942, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Silver Jubilee, 1942, Poona
The Manichaean Fragment S.8 in Turfan Pahlavi by A.V. Williams Jackson. Reprinted from Oriental Studies in Honour of Dasturji Saheb Cursteji Erachji Pavry, January 1934, Oxford at the University Press
Jamshed Nusserwanjee: A Memorial. Published by The Jamshed Memorial Volume Committee, Karachi, 1954
Pahlavi Text of The Dina Mainu-i-Khrat edited by Darab Dastur Peshtotan Sanjan, B.A. Bombay. Printed at the Duftur Ashikara and the Education Society's Steam Press, 1895
Philosophy of Zoroastrianism and Comparative Study of Religions, Vol. 1 by Faredun K. Dadachanji, B.A., L.L.B., D.Th., Bombay. Published by The Times of India Press, 1941
Armaiti: Loyalty Solidarity. Old Girls Association, The Mama Parsi Girls' High School, Karachi. Printed at The Union Press Ltd., Elphinstone Street, Karachi. Published by the Old Girls’ Association, The Mama Parsi Girls’ High School, Karachi. Edited by Miss K. Engineer
Zoroastrian Ceremonies by Nasarvanji Framji Billimoria, Bombay. Published by Private Subscription, 1896
The Gatha Society’s Publication No. 1: The Spirit of The Gathas. A lecture by J.C. Coyajee, Tate Senior Editor, Elphinstone College. Printed by The Crown Printing Works, Karachi
Parsi Anjuman: Revised Constitution, Rules 1 to 70. Prepared by the Reform Committee and approved by the Anjuman Trust Board and the Anjuman Committee, Karachi. Published by Sind Observer Press Ltd., Karachi, 1-7-1946
Life and Works of Shams-ul-Ulema Dastur Dr. Maneckjee N. Dhalla: A Prize Essay by Eruch Kaikhushru Pavri. Published by Dastur Dr. Dhalla Memorial Institute, Karachi, 1973
Land of the Rupee. A comprehensive description of British India and Burma, copiously illustrated from photographs of views and buildings in the principal cities, scenes of natural beauty and ruins of sacred and historical interest. Publishedand published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. at the “Times of India” offices in 1912 at Bombay and Calcutta
From the Iranian Plateau to the Shores of Gujarat: The story of Parsi settlements and absorption in India. Edited by Mani Kamerkar and Soonu Dhunjisha. Published by The K.R. Cama Otiental Institute, 2002.
Religion of Ancient Iran by J. Duchesne-Guillemin. Published by Tata Press Ltd 1973
Discourses on Zoroastrianism by Ervad Godrej Dinshawji Sidhwa, published by Ervad G.D. Sidhwa from ‘Dinshaw Villa’, 1978 and donated by Minoo Mistri
What Made Cyrus-The-Great Great by Peshoton Sorabji-Goolbai Dubash