Any Indian will agree with the fact that the old India has always shown them tons of examples of religious tolerance and harmony. The story of the association of the Parsis with the Maratha Gaekwads is of the same kind.
Pran jaye par Vachan na jaye: A person may be allowed to lose his life but the credibility of a promise made by him must always be preserved!
In the 18th century, few people from the Parsi community approached Maharaja Pilajirao Gaekwad for protection from invaders trying to violate their religion. The Maharaja readily agreed and offered protection to them for safeguarding their holy fire. The troops provided for this purpose were named as the “Bawaji ni Paltan”(Parsi Platoon). Contingents of 200 members of the force were located in each of the towns of Bulsar, Udvada, Sanjan, and Navsari for the protection of the sacred fires during turbulent times. This practice was also followed by the future Maharajas who continued with the tradition.
Then came Damajirao Gaekwad who ruled Baroda from 1732 to 1768. During the Third Battle of Panipat, he was asked to men for the battle from the Parsi Platoon. To this, he replied “My fire cannot be orphaned,” keeping the promise to protect the holy fire.
Even in the time of battles, the Gaekwads never withdrew the guards which protected the Parsi Community. In this context, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was once quoted saying ” The word of promise given by a Parsi is as precious to me as My Own Gaekwari ‘Rupaiya’ currency. It is bound to be honored.”
Thus keeping with the long-standing Indian saying: Pran jaye par Vachan na jaye !!!
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Because of this support, even today the Parsi Community can be seen thriving in the places that were once the part of the Baroda State.
Partial Source: ToI
Thanks for taking me down to memory lane