Anglo-Indians was a mixed-raced group formed through the union of European fathers and native/non-European mothers, over the course of colonial times.
- British Raj had a clear demarcation among its subjects on account of their race—the classification which has been reflected in regulations by the Raj as European and non-European.
By Nazarul Islam | USA
The British Empire in India—also known as the “The British Raj”, spread across modern-day Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh barring the Portuguese colony of “Goa” and the French colony of “Pondicherry.”
This Raj had a clear demarcation among its subjects on account of their race—the classification which has been reflected in regulations by the Raj as European and non-European.
This classification had formed a part of the legal position of its demographic population by colonial authorities in the eighteenth century. However, a set of groups that did not fall under either of the groups had emerged since the eighteenth century—”Anglo-Indians.” A group that was a mixed-raced group formed through the union of European fathers and native/non-European mothers, over the course of colonial times. Their status under the regulations by colonial authorities was unrecognized in either of the categories.
The formal theorization of this group as a category of the population was witnessed in the Government of India Act, 1935 as “Anglo-Indians.” This group was also widely referred to as “Eurasians.” Before the formalization of this definition in the Government of India Act, 1935, Anglo-Indians had several opportunities and hurdles on account of their race and more particularly with the ability to racially pass as “white.”
Towards the end of the eighteenth century no classification or distinction of this mixed-race group was postulated by the British East India Company and the group was assimilated in the European population. Not only were these unions accepted but they were being encouraged and incentivized.
A comprehensive understanding of the acceptance of the Eurasians i.e. Anglo-Indians is witnessed through British Orphanages which classified orphans according to the status of their father’s position in the military, the Eurasian sons’ of upper-class officials were treated at power with the European orphans and even awarded the same privileges such as education and training in England.
Subsequently, the number of Anglo-Indians outnumbered the British officials in India and the size of this group increased simultaneously. This group worked for the English activities as clerks and administration of colonial India dominating the functions of post offices and railways.
However, there was a shift in the attitude towards mixed-groups in the later-half of the eighteenth century. The colonies viewed this mixed-race group as a threat from their lessons in Peru, Mexico, and Haiti. In these English colonies towards the end of the eighteenth century, the mixed-race groups had led revolutions against the colonial authorities in Haiti, Peru and Mexico.
As a result, this era witnessed a shift in the attitude towards mixed-race individuals of Indian descent as well, thereby, creating a change in the legal position of this group. In the wake of the revolutions in other colonies, The East Indian Company enforced racial segregation in Regulation XXXIII of 1790, April had classified mixed-race, Anglo-Indians as “natives.”
This change in status was accompanied by loss of status in colonial India and the creation of stereotypical notions against the mixed-race Anglo-Indians. As natives, they were not allowed to purchase land or live further than ten miles from a company settlement without the approval of the colonial officers.
Furthermore, restrictions against the services of Eurasians in the Company promulgated the sense of class demeanor. This decreased the possibilities of Anglo-Indian in terms of opportunities and career-aspirations thereby restricting the social mobility of this group. This feeling of racial segregation was amplified when the concept of British purity of race was stressed by the arrival of the Christian missionaries in India in 1813.
This period was marked transitional for The East India Company since the company was expanding its role as a true colonial power from the pure mercantile purpose, they had initially established themselves as. Thus, they exercised a larger administrative control than previously postulated.
The classification of Anglo-Indians in a lower stature attracted a production of stereotypes derogatory in nature by their native counterparts, because English lackeys who had grown apart from their Indian identity. An embodiment of this identity discourse was portrayed by John Masters in his novel “Bhowani Junction.”
With the expansion of the East India Company, the Charter Act of 1833 opened the doors for Indians to be employed by the Company. This was the first act that permitted Indians to have a share in the country’s administration. Section 88 of the Charter Act 1833 postulates that merit should be the basis of employment for government services and not birth, color, religion, or race.
Lord Macaulay called this provision the wisest, the benevolent and noble clause of the Act. It marked the beginning of Indian Legislation. However, the downfall of this gateway was that mixed-race Anglo-Indian members were banned from all senior posts in the civil and military services.
The reason for such a ban stems from the British colonial insecurity realized by other colonies, and the risk they would pose to the British Empire if high administrative posts in the military were awarded to them.
An opportunity for Anglo-Indians, which proved to be their identity in the later centuries, arose in the nineteenth century in the railways’ sector. This phase was marked transitional for Anglo-Indians due to its effect on employment opportunities for the community since the railway sector was expanding.
As early as 1843, Lord Dalhousie had first conceived of the possibility of opening up India through railway communication. He had proposed to link the three ports of Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras by a railway. Conditions in India were quite different from those in Britain. Many British and Indians, who had a better understanding of India’s topography and geography, opposed the construction of railways as a “premature and expensive undertaking” and a “hazardous” and “dangerous venture.”
Certain opponents doubted the feasibility of the introduction of railways in India citing poverty, extreme climate with torrential rains, violent storms, high mountains, sandy deserts, and dense forests.
Around the same time, the first Anglo-Indian Associations were set up in Madras and Calcutta. The East India Company preferred Anglo-Indians for the reasons which were originally the hurdle for the establishment, the group was considered to be dilly built, mechanically inclined, comparatively well educated, and able to get along with the indigenous people because they spoke local languages.
Towards the late colonial period, the railway witnessed a vast expansion and a majority of the railway employees were Anglo-Indians. The Government of India Act was implemented in 1919, the Anglo-Indians gained a vague definition under this Act. It is pertinent to note that the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms formed the foundation of the Government of India Act, 1919.
From the historical Archives Paragraph 346 of the Montagu-Chelmsford Report embarked on Anglo-Indian communities as follows:
Some reference is needed also to the case of the large Anglo-Indian or Eurasian community which on historic grounds has a strong claim on the consideration of the British Government. It is not easy for them, occupying as they do an intermediate position between the races of the East and West, to win for themselves by their unaided enterprise a secure position in the economy of India, They have been hitherto to a great extent in political and economic dependence on the Government and they would not be strong enough to withstand the effect of changes which omitted to take account of their peculiar situation.
Even though the Anglo-Indians had received their recognition as a distinct group, it did not help the community. It turned out to be a watershed for the community members since the Government of India Act followed a series of reforms which had incentivized the natives as well under the garb of prioritizing natives through an Indianization of the Raj.
This meant that the categories of services that would have been open exclusively to the community had positioned themselves to be awarded to the natives. Thus, the difficulty of employment for Anglo-Indians was amplified due to such reforms, placing the community in a more difficult situation. The maintenance and security of their traditional branches such as post offices, railways, customs and excise awarded after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 were also in jeopardy, while their women worked as teachers, nurses, and clerks.
Even though the definition was legally defined, its application was questionable due to the lack of defined structure. The Indian Councils Act of 1870 added to the vagueness of the definition of the Anglo-Indian group. According to the Act, Anglo-Indians were for economic purposes ‘natives of India by statute’. In 1925, the secretary of state for British India added: “For employment under government and inclusion in schemes of Indianization, members of the Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Community are statutorily Natives of India.
“For purposes of education and internal security, their status, in so far as it admits definition, approximates to that of European British subjects.”
Thus, there were classifications which were not clear to either spectrum, the Anglo-Indians as a group swayed from Europeans to natives according to the criteria of the situation viewed through the British lens. This proved as an opportunity for the wealthy members of the community of the Anglo-Indians to pass off as “white” or “European” conveniently according to their status, class, education, and predominantly appearance.
This creation of rigid British lines of the race forced multiple Eurasians to pass as “Europeans” to attain opportunities in India as well as other English colonies and not be restricted on the pretext of race.
However, a more refined definition of the Anglo-Indians was promulgated in the Government of India Act of 1935 under the Article 366, this definition was further utilized in the Constitution of independent India in 1950 by the drafters of the constitution under the recommendation of Frank Anthony, the then leader of the All-India Anglo-Indian Association.
“An Anglo-Indian means a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only.”
This definition accounted for lineage and domicile status to assert the community claims. The perception of Anglo-Indians in India varies significantly depending on individual experiences and contexts, but several general themes can be identified:
Cultural Identity
Anglo-Indians are often seen as a unique cultural group that embodies a blend of Indian and British heritage. Some people appreciate this diversity and see Anglo-Indians as part of India’s multicultural fabric.
Historical Context
The Anglo-Indian community has historical roots dating back to the colonial period, and their identity has been shaped by the legacy of British rule. This history can lead to mixed feelings; some may view Anglo-Indians with nostalgia for the colonial past, while others might view them with skepticism due to the colonial legacy.
Social Integration
In contemporary India, Anglo-Indians are often viewed as having a distinct social identity. While many Anglo-Indians have integrated into broader Indian society, some may still face challenges regarding acceptance and representation.
Economic and Educational Opportunities: Historically, Anglo-Indians had access to certain privileges, including better education and job opportunities, which has led to some resentment among other communities. However, this has changed over the years, and many Anglo-Indians now face the same economic challenges as other groups.
Political Representation
The Anglo-Indian community has been politically recognized in India, with reserved seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, though this representation has diminished in recent years. This aspect can lead to discussions about their status and rights within the broader Indian political landscape.
Overall, the views on Anglo-Indians are diverse and influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors. Individual opinions may differ widely based on personal interactions and experiences.
Indians have a great admiration for fair complexion. The Anglo- Indians with fair complexion were admired only for this characteristic. Many got financial prosperity too because of the complexion.
There are many Anglo- Indians in India who are not categorized as such. Many Indians married in the families of Lower level employees of Europeans and never had gone out of their own caste set up. They continued with their language too. Let us leave these Eurasians out of the discussion.
In the context of the dark complexioned Anglo- Indians, they did not enjoy popularity among the Indians and the Anglo-Indians. Since the community had taken on to the English language, customs and living style, the British government had given some privileges to them. In Independent India, the Government continued them, but the Anglo- Indians had lost their heart and wanted to go out of India and Pakistan. Today they are very few and are not usually found. Some would have returned to Indian style of living.
Read: The Bastards of Colonialism
Read: The Anglo-Indians had put up a big show outside. However, with the exception of those who were well educated or who managed some job in the Railways or Army or Police, they had a poor life. The boys and girls had started dating at an early age and mostly took up some small jobs even by the time they were 16 to 18.
Their life was poor and they put up a front to cover it up. The Indians who are well to do or from the higher castes were attracted by the smart Anglo-Indian girls, especially the fair complexioned, but were not prepared to marry them. There was a sort of taboo on them.
I had a few Anglo-Indian friends in my school days. Not all of their families were well to do. I found them simple, honest, down to earth in their dealings and unexposed to Indian double standards. I had been to their homes, met their parents and in some cases knew about their problems too. But that was 60 years ago.
The Indians, did not accept them due to their (Indian’s) caste system and holier than thou attitude towards anything non-Indian
Today, Anglo-Indian community consists of people of mixed British and Indian ancestry, a distinct minority group that emerged during the colonial era. Historically positioned between the ruling British and the native Indian population, Anglo-Indians developed a unique culture, identity, and social role on the subcontinent. Following the end of British rule, the community experienced significant change, including widespread migration and the gradual assimilation of those who remained.
Anglo Indian origins and identity
Formation: The Anglo-Indian community originated in the 17th century with the establishment of British East India Company settlements. Initially, a shortage of British women led British men, especially soldiers and officers, to marry or have relationships with Indian women. The East India Company even incentivized these unions at one point.
Shifting definitions: The term “Anglo-Indian” has changed over time. Initially, it referred to British people who lived in India. The mixed-heritage population was known as “Eurasian” or “Indo-Briton.” In the early 20th century, the term “Anglo-Indian” came to encompass the mixed-race group.
In-between status: Anglo-Indians were often socially isolated and lived in a “twilight zone of uncertainty”. They were considered socially inferior by many British and viewed with suspicion by some Indians due to their perceived loyalty to the British Crown.
Culture: Over generations, Anglo-Indians created their own sub culture, characterized by the English language as their mother tongue, Christianity as their religion, and a Western-influenced lifestyle. Distinctive elements include cuisine, social clubs, and Western music.
How was life like, during the British Raj?
Favored employment: After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Anglo-Indians were given preferential treatment by the British government. They were heavily recruited for skilled administrative and strategic roles in the railways, postal and telegraph services, customs, and civil and military services.
Urban life: The community was largely urban and formed social clubs that hosted functions like dances at Christmas and Easter. Prominent centers of Anglo-Indian life included Calcutta (Kolkata), Dhaka (Dhaka) Madras (Chennai), Bangalore, and Bombay (Mumbai).
Erosion of status: During the 20th century, as Indian nationalism grew, government reforms opened jobs previously reserved for Anglo-Indians to native Indians. This led to increasing economic and political pressure on the community. When the British rule ended in 1947, many Anglo Indians felt betrayed by British for failing to offer them hospitality in Britain. Feeling insecure they migrated to UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Political representation: A representative for the Anglo-Indian community, Frank Anthony, is on record to have negotiated reserved parliamentary seats in the lower house (Lok Sabha) of the Indian parliament. This provision was meant to protect the rights of the small, unrepresented community. However, the reserved seats were abolished in 2020 via a constitutional amendment. (Continues)
Read: Black Plague—Was it God’s Punishment?
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The Bengal-born writer Nazarul Islam is a senior educationist based in USA. He writes for Sindh Courier and the newspapers of Bangladesh, India and America. He is author of a recently published book ‘Chasing Hope’ – a compilation of his articles.
