The Parsis have been inhabiting in Calcutta since remote antiquity and have become an integral part of the city by now. Despite being a very little proportion of Calcutta's population (about a thousand), they have done remarkably well in entrepreneurship, sportsmanship and industriousness.

At a time when Calcutta flourished as the linchpin of trade and commerce being the capital city, the Parsis had undergone a radical change. The arrival of the British in Calcutta had converted the farmer community of Parsis into entrepreneurs.

Dadabhay Behramji Banaji from Surat, is recorded to be the first Parsi to arrive in Calcutta in 1767. Banaji Seth was a flourishing trader who was patronized by Sir John Cartier, the then Governor of Bengal. This Banaji family had made a profound impact on the industrial history of Bengal.

However, it was Seth Rustamji Kawarji Banaji who took the Banajis to sky kissing heights in the sphere of trade and commerce. He settled in Calcutta with his family in 1838 after getting captivated by the city's life and charm. Later on, he founded the "Sun Insurance Office" and carried on extensive business as a ship merchant. All over the east, he became extremely popular as a gifted entrepreneur owning a fleet of 27 ships. In 1837, he bought the Calcutta Docking Company.

Seth Rustamji Banaji was also popular and widely respected for his philanthropism. He founded the first 'fire temple' at 26, Ezra Street on 16th September, 1839. The temple still remains as his memento. He was honoured by the British who appointed him among the twelve justices of peace in 1835.

There were several other Parsi families, who flourished along with the Banajis. With their tenacity, sedulous nature and zeal, these Parsis become wealthy and famous from the morass of object poverty. One such notable example was Seth Jamshedji Franji Madan. He started his career at an age of twelve as a curtain-shifter in a theatrical company at a remuneration of four rupees a month. Soon, this enthusiastic lad founded a company of his own. When he was twenty-nine, he started another business as a wine-merchant at 5, Dharmatala Street. He was a pioneer of Indian Cinema and rectified its imperfections. By the time of his death in 1923, he owned over a hundred cinema-halls spread all over the country. The British Government honoured him with the OBE and CBE in 1918 and 1923 respectively.

The Banajis and the Madans – the two prime families working for the prosperity of Calcutta, had many peers viz. the Gurdars, the Mehtas, the Modis and many others. For their philanthropism and benevolent work, they were known as Sethiyas.

After India's independence, the Parsis of Calcutta showed signs of steady decline. Their philanthropic attitude was mitigated within the confines of their own community. The vast Parsi entrepreneurial community gradually faded away.

But the Parsis of Calcutta have not disappeared as a community. They are still playing vital roles in various fields like M.N. Dastur & Co., the internationally acclaimed technical consultants, outstanding individuals like Cushron Irani, Managing Director of "The Statesman" and Narielvala the erstwhile head of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Again, Mrs. Dhun Adenwalla is the first oral school for the Deaf. Agni Ardeshir Battlivala spearheaded the scouting movement in Bengal. He set up the extremely skilful 'Parsi Scout Troop.' The Parsis have always patronized games and sports and run their own sports club on the Maidan which encourage all types of sports. To conclude, it can be said that despite being a very small portion of the city's population and no more remaining at the peak of affairs, they still are an integral part of the city and will continue to be.