Parsees: The Parsees numbered 840 (m.487; f. 353) in the district in 1961 \, almost all living in the urban area. They numbered 481; 574; 795; 1,017; 1,053 and 1,706, in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1941 and 1951, respectively, the increase in their population in the district since, 1901 being nearly 74.6 per cent. It appears that the community which numbered 1,706 (m. 1,112; f. 592) in the district in 1951 has dwindled by about 50.7 per cent in 196, the decrease being in all probability due to emigration.

The Parsres also known as Zoroaster are supposed to have emigrated to India from Persia in about 766 A.D. parsees of Nagpur originally immigrated form Bombay, though many of the families are now of long standing in the district.

As enterprising traders Parsees are essentially town-dwellers. They adopted English education and habits with avidity during the British rule and this gave them an advantage over the Banias, as they would engage in any kind of business that came to hand, such as shopkeeping, liquor contracts and timber trade, to which the Marvadis were unable to adapt themselves. At present the Parsees base their manner of life very largely on that of the westerners. Their women are perhaps the best educated in India after Europeans and Anglo-Indians; they are in no way secluded, A century back the Parsees wold not eat Pakki, i.e. food cooked by non-Parsees. But such a custom is now more honoured in the breach than in observance among the Laity. The priesthood especially the officiating priesthood still abstain from food prepared by non-Parsees. But such a custom is now more honoured in the breach than in observance among the laity. The priesthood, especially the officiating priesthood, still abstain from food prepared by non-Pareses. Most Parsees are at present of course either businessmen, industrialists or Government servants, but even then the number of distinguished public men drawn from this small community is surprising.