Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla

Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla Biography

Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla was a Zoroastrian priest and religious scholar, popularly known as M. N. Dhalla. Dhalla is best known for his criticism of the orthodox factions within the Parsi community. He has also authored about 30 books about his religious beliefs during his life time of which a few are World's Religions in Evolution, Mankind Whither Bound?, The Adornment of Priests, Footholds of Purity, Homage Unto Ahura Mazda, The History of Zoroastrianism, The Nyaishes or Zoroastrian Litanies, Our Perfecting World: Zarathushtra's Way of Life, Zoroastrian Civilization and Homage Unto Ahura Mazda.

Maneckji Dhalla was born on September 22, 1875 in Surat, Gujarat into a family of Godavara priests. At the age of 3, he was sent to Karachi, present Pakistan. His father Nusserwanji Dhalla was later employd at Sind provinces. In 1890, at the age of 15, Dhalla began his training for the priesthood. He stopped studies too, to earn a livelihood. In 1894, Dhalla became editor of a monthly magazine Goolshan-e-Danesh. Later he bought that magazine, but had to close it due to shortage of funds.

Dhalla completed his clerical training in 1895 at the age of 20. His first lecture as a full-fledged priest was on atash, fire. Then he published 5 booklets in his mother tongue – Gujarati and at the age of 25, he delivered his first public lecture in Mumbai. This single speech made him popular among his Parsi community. In 1904, he graduated from Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Madressa and later continued his studies at Columbia University taking financial support from his community.

In the next three years, he learnt Iranian languages, Sanskrit, philology and philosophy also completing masters’ degree in 1906. Dhalla was awarded a Ph.D. in May 1908 for his thesis, The Nyaishes or Zoroastrian Litanies. Then he journeyed many countries and published several books thus becoming a popular figure of their religion.

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Updated: February 25, 2014