Which statement best describes the Zoroastrians according to the material?

• A. They originated in Persia and founded a major empire.
• B. They were descendants of Iran that maintained their old religion.
• C. They are modern followers of Zoroastrianism.
• D. They were all converts to Islam.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is the continuity of Iran’s ancient religious tradition. Zoroastrians are described as descendants of Iran who kept their old faith alive through centuries of change, including the Islamic era, rather than switching to Islam or being defined by a later empire. This emphasizes their historical persistence as a distinct pre-Islamic belief system within Iranian history. They are not simply modern followers, nor did they create a Persian empire; instead, they represent the long-standing minority that preserved Zoroastrianism despite conversions around them. Today they remain a small, enduring community in Iran (notably Yazd) and in the Indian diaspora (Parsis), underscoring that continuity.