The term 'parsi' is derived from Parsa, the name of a province in south -western Iran in ancient times. The word 'Parsi ' literally means 'a resident of Pars'. It is originally an ethnic term and later the term acquired a religious connotation also and it was used for the Zoroastrian residence of the Pars. Around 766AD, a small group of Iranian  Zoroastrians set sail in open sailing vessels, and landed at Divo Dui , a tiny Island at the tip of Kathiawar coast. Their they settled for nineteen years to practice their path in peace. They again set sail in open sailing vessels and landed at the fishing village of Sanjan where Jadi Rana  or Jadav Rana gave them refuge.

The Parsis spread in small colonies all along the west coast of Gujarat. Between the eight and Fifteenth centuries the Parsis settled in various small towns on the Gujarat coast. They settled down as farmers and agriculturists, fruit growers, toddy planters, carpenters and weavers.

Parsis were excellent weavers and they gave India three ancient crafts, namely the Surti ghat, the Garo and the Tanchoi. Today they are mostly found in Mumbai, India.