The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute

== History ==

== History ==

In 1896, Zoroastrian scholar and theosophist [[Jivanji Jamshedji Modi]] wrote a letter to the eminent British archaeologist [[W. M. Flinders Petrie]] of [[University College, London]] on behalf of the [[Bombay Parsi Panchayet]] soliciting his advice in conducting archaeological research to understand the origins and history of the Zoroastrian religion and had the letter delivered through the theosophist [[Henry Steel Olcott]].{{cite book|title=Old Diary Leaves 1896-98, Sixth Series|pages=54-60|chapter=Parsi Archaeological Research|last=Olcott|first=Henry Steel|publisher=The Theosophical Publishing House}} Flinders-Petrie gave an encouraging reply even suggesting linguist and Oriental scholar [[Edward Denison Ross]] as a suitable candidate to lead an archaeological expedition.However, the suggestion was not considered at that time and was eventually forgotten.

In 1896, Zoroastrian scholar and theosophist [[Jivanji Jamshedji Modi]] wrote a letter to the eminent British archaeologist [[W. M. Flinders Petrie]] of [[University College, London]] on behalf of the [[Bombay Parsi Panchayet]] soliciting his advice in conducting archaeological research to understand the origins and history of the Zoroastrian religion and had the letter delivered through the theosophist [[Henry Steel Olcott]].{{cite book|title=Old Diary Leaves 1896-98 Sixth Series|pages=54-60|chapter=Parsi Archaeological Research|last=Olcott|first=Henry Steel|publisher=The Theosophical Publishing House}}Flinders-Petrie gave an encouraging reply even suggesting linguist and Oriental scholar [[Edward Denison Ross]] as a suitable candidate to lead an archaeological expedition.However, the suggestion was not considered at that time and was eventually forgotten.

In 1909, the eminent Parsi scholar and originator of the Zoroastrian Fasli calendar, Kharshedji Rustomji Cama died leaving behind a vast collection of books, manuscripts and historical material. During the last years of his life, Cama had a desire to build a hall atop the [[Dadisett Agiary]] in Bombay where a research institute could operate from.{{cite web|title=Cama Oriental Institute|url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/cama-oriental-institute-k/|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|last1=Kanga|first1=Maneck Fardoonji|last2=Jamaspasa|first2=Kaikhusroo M.|date=December 15, 1990}} A gathering of Parsi and Hindu businessmen, educationists and scholars of [[Wilson College, Mumbai|Wilson College]] met and set up The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute in 1916, seven years after his death to honour his memory. The institute was inaugurated on 18 December 1916 by [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]], the then [[Governor of Bombay]] at the Sukhadwala building in Hornby Street where it was housed till 1936 when it moved to its own premises, at 136 Apollo Street, Fort, Bombay. The late K. R. Cama's personal collection of books formed the core of the institute's library.

In 1909, the eminent Parsi scholar and originator of the Zoroastrian Fasli calendar, Kharshedji Rustomji Cama died leaving behind a vast collection of books, manuscripts and historical material. During the last years of his life, Cama had a desire to build a hall atop the [[Dadisett Agiary]] in Bombay where a research institute could operate from.{{cite web|title=Cama Oriental Institute|url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/cama-oriental-institute-k/|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|last1=Kanga|first1=Maneck Fardoonji|last2=Jamaspasa|first2=Kaikhusroo M.|date=December 15, 1990}} A gathering of Parsi and Hindu businessmen, educationists and scholars of [[Wilson College, Mumbai|Wilson College]] met and set up The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute in 1916, seven years after his death to honour his memory. The institute was inaugurated on 18 December 1916 by [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]], the then [[Governor of Bombay]] at the Sukhadwala building in Hornby Street where it was housed till 1936 when it moved to its own premises, at 136 Apollo Street, Fort, Bombay. The late K. R. Cama's personal collection of books formed the core of the institute's library.