South Asian Immigration Flashcards
How long has Britain and South Asia had a relationship?
Hundred of years
What is South Asia today compared to back then?
Today it is a collection of seperate countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Burma. Back then it was all called ‘India’ by the British.
How did Britain gradually take South Asia over?
In the early 1600s, British traders went there to buy spices, dyes and textiles to sell back in Britain. Over the next 250 years British traders built ‘trading posts’ along the South Asian coast, and gradually Britain took over more and more of the land.
What happened with South Asia after a huge rebellion?
After a huge rebellion against foreign rule in 1857, the British governemtn decided to put ‘India’ under its own direct control. Queen Victoria even proudly called herself ‘Empress of India’
Since when did South Asians start coming to Britain?
Since the early days of British rule in ‘India’.
What did South Asian immigrants work as in Britain?
Cooks, deckhands and sails on board ships bringing goods to Britain.
What were the South Asian sailors called?
Lascars
What did lascars do between voyages?
Settled near the London docks and took on other jobs. They ran lodging houses for other sailors, set up cafes or tea shops along the waterfront or became market traders.
What were South Asian children’s nannies called?
Ayahs
What were ayahs and servants?
They worked for wealthy British families who had lived out in South Asia but decided to return home to Britain.
How many South Asians were there estimated to be by the 1800s in Britain?
Around 40,000. They were mainly lascars but also ayahs, servants, students, officials, doctors, tourists and businessmen.
What are three reasons why South Asian immigrants came to Britain?
- There was violence in some parts of South Asia after the war and some immigrants came to Britain to avoid this.
- Many South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were British passport holders and so they had the right to come and live in Britain if they wanted to. These countries were part of the British Empire so everyone living there qualified for a British passport.
- Some places in South Asia suffered from cyclones, floods and famines at this time, terrible poverty. Many people living in these areas saw emigration as their only hope.
