Anglo-Indian people facts for kids

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Anglo-Indians
Total population
British Raj era Anglo-Indian mother and daughter, c. 1920
c. 500,000
Regions with significant populations
India	350,000-400,000
United Kingdom	86,000
Australia	22,000
Canada	22,000
Bangladesh	20,000
United States	20,000
Myanmar	19,200
New Zealand	15,861
Malaysia	10,310
Singapore	4,800
Pakistan	<1,500
Languages
English, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Hindi, Urdu, and other Indian languages
Religion
Majority Christianity (Protestantism or Catholicism) Minority Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam
Related ethnic groups
Anglo-Burmese, Scottish-Indians, Irish Indians, Burghers, Kristang people, Indo people, Singaporean Eurasians, Macanese people, Indo-Aryan people, Dravidian people, British people, Indian diaspora

Anglo-Indian people are a special group with a unique history. The term "Anglo-Indian" can mean two things. It can describe people with both Indian and British family backgrounds. It can also refer to British people who were born or lived in India for a long time. This article mainly focuses on the first group: a distinct minority community of mixed Eurasian ancestry. Their main language is English.

The All India Anglo-Indian Association, started in 1926, works to support this group. They believe Anglo-Indians are special because they are Christians. They speak English as their first language. They also have historical ties to both the British isles and the Indian sub-continent. Anglo-Indians often see themselves as people of India (or Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh). They do not usually identify with a specific region like Punjab or Bengal. August 2nd is celebrated as World Anglo Indian Day.

During the time of British rule in India, children born to British and Indian parents formed the Anglo-Indian community. This started in the 1600s. This new group was small but important. They often worked in certain government jobs. Many Anglo-Indians felt separate from both British and Indian society. Their numbers in India dropped from about 300,000 in 1947 to about 125,000-150,000 today. During the British Raj, relationships between British and Indian people were sometimes looked down upon. This meant some Anglo-Indians' backgrounds were not recorded correctly. Many have since joined local communities in India. Others have moved to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa, and New Zealand. There, they are part of the Indian diaspora.

Similar communities, though smaller, exist elsewhere. Examples include Anglo-Burmese in Myanmar and Burghers in Sri Lanka.

A Look at Anglo-Indian History
Christian Faith
Anglo-Indians Today
Political Status
Other Mixed Communities
- British People Born in India
- Anglo-Indians in Britain
Population in Other Countries
- Bangladesh
See also

A Look at Anglo-Indian History

The term "Anglo-Indian" first described all British people living in India. People of mixed British and Indian descent were called "Eurasians." Over time, the meaning changed. Now, "Anglo-Indian" usually refers to people of mixed British and Indian heritage. This community began around 1639. That is when the British East India Company set up a settlement in Madras.

At first, the community was accepted by the British. But in 1791, Anglo-Indians were not allowed to hold important jobs in the East India Company. During the Indian rebellion of 1857, Anglo-Indians supported the British. Because of this, the British government treated them well. Many worked in important services like railways, postal services, and customs. In 1919, the Anglo-Indian community got one special seat in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi. English-speaking Anglo-Indians felt closer to the British than to the Indian nationalist movement.

How the Community Started

During the East India Company's rule in India (late 1700s to early 1800s), British officers and soldiers often married local women. This was because there were not many British women in India at the time. Records from the 1780s show that about one-third of British men in India named their Indian wives and children as their heirs.

The Company even encouraged its soldiers to marry local women. They wanted soldiers to be settled and well-behaved. They also preferred children to be raised as Protestants. By the mid-1800s, many British women started arriving in India. This changed things.

Many children were born from unofficial partnerships. For example, over half the children baptized at St. John's, Calcutta between 1767 and 1782 were Anglo-Indian and born outside of marriage. British women of high social standing were rare. Supporting a British wife was very expensive. It cost much less to support an Indian partner. Wealthy British men often left money and property to their Indian partners and children. Some Anglo-Indian daughters were sent to England for schooling. They would then return and marry other officers.

Challenges and Changes

Over time, Anglo-Indians faced more challenges. In 1813, they were excluded from the British legal system in Bengal. They were also judged by Islamic law outside Calcutta. At the same time, Christian missionaries were allowed into India. Some writers blamed the Anglo-Indians' problems on their Indian mothers. Marriages between British men and Anglo-Indian women became less accepted. People worried that such marriages would hurt a British man's career.

By 1830, fewer illegitimate births were recorded. Also, fewer British wills left money to Indian women and their children. Despite this, British officers continued to marry Anglo-Indian girls. In the 1820s, there were many more marriageable Anglo-Indian girls than Englishwomen in Bengal.

In 1821, a pamphlet was written to help young Eurasians find jobs. Another pamphlet called for their rights. Important Eurasians in Calcutta formed a committee. They sent a petition to the British parliament to address their concerns. Their efforts worked. In April 1834, the Indian government had to give government jobs to Anglo-Indians.

As more British women arrived in India in the mid-1800s, British men married Indian women less often. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, laws were made against mixed marriages. As a result, Eurasians felt neglected by both British and Indian groups in India.

Building a Community

Over many generations, Anglo-Indians married other Anglo-Indians. This helped them form their own unique culture. Their food, clothing, and way of speaking English helped set them apart. Their Christianity also played a big role. A strong sense of community grew among Anglo-Indians. Their English-language schools, British-influenced culture, and Christian faith brought them together.

They created social clubs and held events like dances, especially at Christmas and Easter. Their Christmas balls are still a special part of Indian Christian culture.

Anglo-Indians were often hired for specific jobs. These included customs, post and telegraphs, forestry, railways, and teaching. They also worked in many other areas. The Anglo-Indian community also helped bring Western music styles, like ragtime and jazz, to India after independence.

Independence and New Homes

A male Anglo-Indian being washed, dressed and attended.

Around the time India gained independence, the All-India Anglo-Indian Association did not want India to be divided. Its president, Frank Anthony, said the British had treated Anglo-Indians unfairly. He said they faced "racial discrimination" and that their contributions were not recognized.

Anglo-Indians faced a tough choice when India became independent. Many felt loyal to Britain, a "home" they had never seen. They knew they might not be fully accepted there. The book Bhowani Junction explores this identity crisis. Anglo-Indians felt unsure in a new India. Important government jobs often went to those who had fought for independence.

Many Anglo-Indians left India in 1947. They hoped to start new lives in the United Kingdom or other British Commonwealth countries like Australia or Canada. This movement continued through the 1950s and 1960s. By the late 1990s, most had left. Many who remained still wished to leave.

Like the Parsi community, Anglo-Indians mostly lived in cities. But unlike Parsis, the Anglo-Indians who left were often better educated and financially stable.

Culture Today

In the 21st century, there has been a renewed interest in Anglo-Indian culture. This includes International Anglo-Indian Reunions and new books. There have been nine reunions, with the most recent in 2015 in Kolkata.

Many stories and novels have been published recently. These books share the experiences and history of Anglo-Indians. For example, The Leopard's Call: An Anglo-Indian Love Story (2005) and At the Age for Love: A Novel of Bangalore during World War II (2006) are by Reginald Shires. In the Shadow of Crows (2009) by David Charles Manners tells a true story of discovering Anglo-Indian relatives. Keith St Clair Butler wrote 'The Secret Vindaloo' (2014), which uses the famous dish Vindaloo to explore his family's history.

Christian Faith

Anglo-Indians are Christians. Their Christian faith, along with their British heritage and English language, sets them apart. Anglo-Indians have been very involved in churches. They have served as cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and ministers. They also hold many teaching roles in religious institutions.

Anglo-Indians Today

The Indian Constitution protects the rights of minority groups. This allows Anglo-Indians to keep their own schools and use English for teaching. To help them fit into society, the government requires a certain number of students from other Indian communities in these schools.

A 2013 BBC News report noted that many Anglo-Indians have done very well in certain fields. This is impressive given their small community size. For example, in music, there are Engelbert Humperdinck (born in Madras), Peter Sarstedt (Delhi), and Cliff Richard (Lucknow). If we include people with any mixed British-Indian background, there are also cricketer Nasser Hussain, footballer Michael Chopra, and actor Ben Kingsley.

Anglo-Indians have also achieved great things in the military. Air Vice-Marshal Maurice Barker was India's first Anglo-Indian Air Marshal. At least seven other Anglo-Indians reached this high rank. This is a big achievement for a small community. Many others have received awards for their military service. Air Marshal Malcolm Wollen is often seen as the person who helped India win the 1971 war with Bangladesh. Anglo-Indians also made important contributions to the Indian Navy and Army.

Education is another area where Anglo-Indians have excelled. The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, a respected school qualification in India, was started by Anglo-Indian educators. Frank Anthony was its president, and A.E.T. Barrow was its secretary for many years. Most Anglo-Indians find it easy to get jobs in schools because they speak English fluently.

In sports, Anglo-Indians have made significant contributions. Norman Pritchard was India's first Olympic medalist. He won two silver medals at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris. In cricket, Roger Binny was the top wicket-taker when the Indian team won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Wilson Jones was India's first World Professional Billiards Champion in billiards.

Several charities abroad help less fortunate Anglo-Indians in India. One important charity is CTR (Calcutta Tiljallah Relief), based in the US. It provides monthly pensions to over 300 seniors. CTR also helps more than 200 children with their education. CTR also publishes books about the Anglo-Indian community. The money from these book sales goes to the charity.

Today, about 80,000–125,000 Anglo-Indians live in India. Most live in cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. They also live in many other towns across India. However, the Anglo-Indian population has decreased over the years. Many have moved abroad or to other parts of India. Tangasseri in Kollam city is the only place in Kerala State where Anglo-Indian traditions are still strong.

Most Anglo-Indians living overseas are in Britain, Australia, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. Some have also settled in European countries like Switzerland, Germany, and France. Anglo-Indians who moved to Australia say it has been easy to fit in. In Myanmar, the community often married local Anglo-Burmese people. Both groups faced unfair treatment after Myanmar's military took over in 1962. Most have now left the country.

Political Status

India's Constitution, in Article 366(2), defines an Anglo-Indian. It says an Anglo-Indian is a person whose father or any male ancestor was of European descent. This person must live in India and have been born there. Their parents must have lived there permanently, not just for a short time.

From 1952 to 2020, the Anglo-Indian community was the only group in India with its own representatives in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament of India). The President of India nominated these two members. This right was secured by Frank Anthony, the first president of the All India Anglo-Indian Association. This was done because the community did not have a home state of its own.

Fourteen states in India also had one nominated Anglo-Indian member in their State Legislative Assemblies.

In January 2020, the special Anglo-Indian seats in Parliament and State Legislatures were ended by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019. However, this rule was extended until 2030.

Other Mixed Communities

The term "Anglo-Indian" usually refers to Indians mixed with British ancestry during the British Raj. But there are many mixed Indian groups from other European countries during the colonial era. For example, it rarely includes descendants of Indians from old Portuguese colonies. These include Luso-Indians (mixed Portuguese and Indian) from Goa and Kochi. There are also people of Indo-French and Indo-Dutch descent.

Indians have met Europeans for a very long time. Their presence is not always considered Anglo-Indian. Also, Indians who mixed with Europeans after the British Raj are usually not called Anglo-Indian.

British People Born in India

Historically, "Anglo-Indian" also referred to British people born and raised in India. This was usually because their parents worked for the British government or military. Famous examples include Rudyard Kipling and the hunter Jim Corbett. In this sense, "Anglo-Indian" meant a British person living in India.

Anglo-Indians in Britain

Since the mid-1800s, people of Indian or mixed British-Indian background have lived in Britain. This happened through marriages between white Britons and Indians. It also happened when Anglo-Indians moved from India to Britain.

Mixed-race children started appearing in England in the 1600s. This was when Indian sailors (called Lascars) arrived on English East India Company ships. They married local women because there were few Indian women in Britain. There were no laws against mixed marriages in England. British-born Anglo-Indians created their own mixed communities in port areas. These children were often called 'half-caste Indian' or 'half Indian'. The term 'Anglo-Indian' was used in higher social circles.

Today, people of Indian or mixed British-Indian background in Britain usually prefer other terms. They often use British Indian or mixed White-Asian. Some also identify as White British. These categories are options in the UK census.

Population in Other Countries

Bangladesh

There is a notable Anglo-Indian population in Bangladesh. Anglo-Indians have been in Bangladesh since the colonial period. Their numbers dropped to 4,000 in 1947 during the Partition of India. Most moved to the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. However, in 1970, about 9,000 Anglo-Indians came from India. During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, about 1,500 Anglo-Indians died. After Bangladesh became independent, about 2,800 Anglo-Indians arrived from India between 1974 and 1976. By 1993, there were 10,371 Anglo-Indians in Bangladesh. The population reached 20,000 in 2016.