Kharshedji Rustomji Cama Biography 
Kharshedji Rustomji Cama, also known as K. R. Cama, was a Parsi scholar and social reformer from Mumbai. He along with Naoroji and Manockjee Cursetjee belonged to the Parsi group of reformers who dealt with social issues like education, politics and woman uplift. Cama was a member of the Amelioration Society set up in 1855 by Merwanji Framji Panday and also was an influential figure also in the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. He is also the founder of the organization - Zarthoshti Din ni Khol Karnari Mandali ("Society for Promoting Research on the Zoroastrian Religion") and was a founding director of the Alexandra Native Girls' English Institution. His son Rustamji was married to noted revolutionary leader of Indian freedom struggle movement, Bhikaiji Cama.
Cama was born in the year 1831 is a privileged Parsi family in Mumbai. He had a traditional Parsi education, and then went to Elphinstone School in Mumbai. In 1849, he started a trading house in Kolkata. He went to London in 1850 and returned back in 1854. He set up a business with Dadabhai Naoroji and again travelled Europe in 1855, where he studied with a few noted orientalists. Thus they set up the first Indian firm trading in Europe, based in London and Liverpool. They were joined by his cousin Mancherji Hormasji Cama.
Later he belonged to the group of Parsi reformers. Their reforms included religious reforms apart from matters like education and women empowerment. Cama supported the major reformist publication Rast Goftar founded in 1851 and was a member of the Amelioration Society set up in 1855 by Merwanji Framji Panday. From 1861 Cama taught Avestan and Pahlavi in his home. Sheriarji Dadabhai Bharucha was one of his noted disciples. He has married twice.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 16, 2014
