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Written by the Remaking Britain team. First published December 2025.

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The establishment of the East India Company in 1600 began a complex, sometimes difficult, relationship between Britain and the Indian subcontinent that would mark major shifts in the culture and history of both nations. This relationship, initially based on trade, combined with Britain’s long imperial rule in India, led to far reaching changes and a steady migration of South Asians from all walks of life to Britain.

This resource traces the long history of South Asians in Britain, focusing on the period 1830 to the present day. These pages explore the subject through contemporary accounts, posters, pamphlets, diaries, newspapers, political reports, sound recordings and illustrations, all evidence of the diverse and rich impact South Asians have had on Britain’s cultural, economic, political and social life.

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Photograph of Punjabi students at Veeraswamy's restaurant, 1928. Held by British Library. Shelfmark: Photo 761/1(5). Public Domain.

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Advertisement for the Bombay Emporium, 1937. Held by British Library. Shelfmark: L/PJ/12/475. Public Domain.

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Historical background

Many people believe that South Asian migration to Britain only began in the 1950s after the Second World War. Yet the presence of South Asians in Britain stretches right back to the 1600s, a direct result of trading contact established by the East India Company. Through trade, conquest and colonisation, the Company transformed the economy and society of both countries, setting in motion the movement of people in both directions.

After the 1857–58 Indian Rebellion, resulting in the East India Company’s abolition, the British Crown took direct control of the government of India. This period of the so-called British Raj in India lasted almost 100 years. In 1947, after a long struggle against colonial rule, what had been British India was partitioned into the independent nations of India and Pakistan. Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, followed in 1948. In 1971, East Pakistan became independent Bangladesh.

Starting in the 17th century, British rule in India led to a steady migration of many classes of South Asians to Britain. Servants and ayahs (nannies) were brought over by returning British families. Indian sailors, known as lascars, crewed ships and later steam-powered liners. Indian soldiers fought alongside British soldiers in two world wars. Intellectuals, politicians and activists campaigned in Britain for equality, social justice and independence from colonial rule. Through the 20th century and up to the present day, Britain’s South Asian community have made significant contributions to the NHS, workers’ rights and literature, among many other areas.

The following articles and resources provide a vivid testimony of the imprint created by Britain’s South Asian community on society, highlighting how this population enriched Britain’s cultural, economic, political and social life.

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Written by Rehana Ahmed, Aleena Din, Sumita Mukherjee, Susheila Nasta, Maya Parmar, Florian Stadtler and Rozina Visram.

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The text in this article is available under a Creative Commons License.

Credit: Remaking Britain team (Rehana Ahmed, Aleena Din, Sumita Mukherjee, Susheila Nasta, Maya Parmar, Florian Stadtler, Rozina Visram).

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Return to the South Asians in Britain homepage