It was the year 1877 in Iran. A young pregnant Zoroastrian woman named Golandoon was returning home after selling some knitted woolen socks and bonnets to a rich family to augment her income for the child she was carrying. It was late afternoon and she was in a hurry to return home before sunset. Taking a shortcut, she passed through a narrow alley where a Muslim was sprinkling water in front of his entranceway. When Golandoon was about to pass by the house, he shouted to her, "Stop, kafir! You cannot pass by this sacred spot. Stay where you are and wait until the water evaporates. I will not allow you to move until every drop is dry."
Golandoon was helpless and stricken with fear. The lane would not be dry for several hours and evening was fast approaching. She stood quietly as some Muslim boys appeared and taunted her with lewd remarks and mocking laughter. The young woman stood with tears in her eyes. As the ruffians began to threaten and approach her, she prayed to God with all her heart to save her honor. Suddenly, an elderly Muslim man carrying a cane happened to pass by the same alley and saw the young woman's plight. "How dare you!" he shouted to the gang and beat them with his cane. "Get out of here!" The man then consoled the frightened young woman and escorted her safely to her home. The grandfatherly figure bade her peace in the name of God, and Golandoon thanked him graciously, comforted by his kindly manner.
When Golandoon narrated this incident to her husband Dorabji, he knew it was unsafe and unwise to remain in Iran and soon after made preparations to migrate to India. It was a difficult time to travel. Golandoon was pregnant and already had a daughter named Dowla who was not yet three years old. Thus it was not until several months had passed that Dorabji and his family were able to leave Iran for India.
After settling in Bombay, Golandoon gave birth to a second daughter c. 9 October 1877, a beautiful baby whom she named Shireen (which means sweet, pleasant or gentle). A few weeks after Shireen was born, the family moved from Bombay to Poona, where Dorabji opened a small teashop. Although newly established, Dorabji quickly won the friendship of many. Dorabji was religious-minded and regularly attended the Zoroastrian fire-temple.