Indian Community
The migration to Britain by people of Indian origin goes back 400 years. In the 17th century many came over as servants with their employers, the British Imperialists. Others came in the 18th and 19th centuries as seafarers. However, the greatest number of migrants came to the UK during the 50s and 60s.
Trade between Britain and India began in 1600 when Elizabeth I granted the East India Company permission to buy and ship goods such as spices and silks from India. Some British seamen fell ill or died during the long voyages. Thus Indian seamen, known as lascars, were employed to replace them and arrived in London from the 1620s. London became home to Indian lascars, nannies, merchants and students, and two Indian MPs were elected to London constituencies.
By the 19th century, the East India Company ruled India, until the British government took over in 1858. Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1877 and there was considerable traffic back and forth between the two countries. Indians made a huge contribution to the allies during both world wars. Nearly one and a half million Indian soldiers fought in Europe on the Allied side in World War I and two and a half million during World War II. After the war, Indians were even more determined to gain their country’s independence. On August 14, 1947 Britain withdrew its control and India became a separate, independent, democratic nation.
Labour shortages in Britain coupled with the partition of India in 1947 caused Indians to come to the UK seeking jobs. The 1960s and 1970s saw many Indian women and children join their husbands in Britain. Asians expelled from Africa also sought refuge in Britain at this time, seeking areas where there were labour was most needed.
A number of Indian people came to Letchworth Garden City during the 40s and 50s; in particular young males from Jalandhar, Patiala, Nakodar and Hosiarpur in the Panjab. Many struggled to find work in North Hertfordshire, some worked long hours in factories in order to support families back in India. Others began selling items door to door in order to survive. Since that period, Letchworth has witnessed a steady growth in its Asian community population. In the 2001 census over 16,000 lived in Hertfordshire with 20% of the counties Indian population living in North Hertfordshire. There are also sizable Indian communities in Three Rivers and Hertsmere.
Additional research provided by Gurdev Delay Author of the book 'Asian Presence in Letchworth Garden City'
