Zoroastrianism founded by Zoroaster, had it's inception in Persia and is based on the concept of dualism, whereby good and evil are locked in continuous battle. A pleasant afterlife depends on one's deeds and thoughts during earthly existence.

Zoroastrianism was eclipsed in Persia by the rise of Islam in the 7 th century and its followers, many of whom openly resisted this, suffered persecution. In the 10 th century some emigrated to India, where they become known as Parsis. Parsi death ritual involves the 'Tower of Silence' - three concentric circles where the corpse is exposed to vultures, which pick the bones clean. Parsi prayer halls are known as 'fire temples' and are out of bound for non Zoroastrians.