On Sun-Worshipping Sistanis, Mage Brahmans and Brhat Samhita

Mage Brahmans or sun-worshiping Mages were a group of Indian priests who were probably of Iranian origin, descending from sun-worshipping Sistanis. These Sistanis were groups of Iranian descent but were not Zoroastrian; they had immigrated to India long ago and succeeded in penetrating into the caste of priests, that is, Brahmans. Brahamehra, a well-known Indian astronomer, had risen from these Mage Brahmans. One of his most important work entitled Brhat Samhitra was fortunately translated into Farsi in the 13th century AD. Since Mage Brahmans are probably of Iranian descent, an investigation into their writings may help shed light on the evolution of astronomy in ancient Iran. Thus, the present paper is an attempt introduce, although briefly, the sun-worshiping Sistanis and Mage Brahmans as well as to give a short report of Brhat Samhitra.