The Widows of Malabar Hill

The novel is set against the backdrop of colonial India and explores the rich cultural heritage of its various characters. Perveen and her family are Parsis, members of an ethnoreligious group originating in Persia who immigrated to medieval India to escape persecution. Parsis follow Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion that worships a deity called Ahura Mazda and whose core maxim is “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.” According to Parsi folklore, when they arrived in India, the local ruler showed the refugees a glass of milk, indicating that there was no room for them in his land. In response, the Zoroastrians added “a spoonful of sugar to the milk, demonstrating that they would blend into their surroundings and sweeten the proverbial glass of milk without causing it to overflow” (“Zoroastrians in India and Iran.” The Pluralism Project). Thus they were allowed to settle in India and followed certain local customs, such as women wearing saris, but still maintained a distinct identity. For example, Parsi women wrap their saris differently than Hindu or Muslim women.

Though Perveen and her family have lived in Bombay their whole lives, they still maintain their Parsi culture. Their neighborhood is exclusively for Zoroastrian families, and they tend to socialize and intermarry with one another.