Dastur

This article is about the priest rank. For the surname, see Dastur (surname). For the TV series, see Dastoor.

Dastur Khurshed Kaikobad Dastoor calling on the Prime Minister of India, 2014

A dastūr,^{[pronunciation?]} sometimes spelt dustoor, is a term for a Zoroastrian high priest who has authority in religious matters and ranks higher than a mobad or herbad. In this specific sense, the term is used mostly among the Parsis of India. The term has also been used in a secular sense to refer to a prime minister, minister or government councillor.^[1]

The first person to be accorded the title Dastur was Meherji Rana (born 1514 at Navsari). He was invited by Akbar to his court in 1578 AD.^[2] He was accorded the title in 1579 AD by the local Zoroastrian priests thus establishing a seat (Gaddi, similar to the seat of a Bhattaraka or Sankaracharya).

Dastur Kaikhushru Cowasji Ravji became the eighteenth successor to the seat and title of Meherji Rana in 2019.^[3] He became a Mobed 59 years earlier.

References

1. Shaki, Mansour (1994). "Dastūr". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
2. The Spiritual Legacy Of The First Dastur MeherjiRana, Noshir H. Dadrawala, Parsi Times, June 10, 2019
3. Er. Kaikhushru Cowasji Ravji Annointed As 18th Meherjirana Gaadi Heir, Parsi Times June 10, 2019

• Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians, Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. London: Routledge