Anglo Indians in India

The Anglo Indian meaning can be defined according to Article 366 (2) of the Indian Constitution, an Anglo-Indian is someone who lives in India and whose father or any male ancestor is of European descent. This term is primarily applied to British nationals who work in India and are of Indian descent. The Government of India Act of 1935 defined the phrase "Anglo-Indian."

The All India Anglo-Indian Association, established in 1926, has long championed ethnic interests; it believes that Anglo-Indians are unique in that they are Christians, use English as their mother tongue, and have a historical connection to both Europe and India. Anglo-Indians are more likely to identify as Indians as a whole, rather than as residents of a specific region such as Punjab or Bengal. World Anglo Indian Day is observed on August 2.

In the late 18th century or early 19th century, the Anglo-Indian community formed a group known as 'The All India Anglo-Indian Association.' Frank Anthony, a Jabalpur native, was the organization's chairman and eventually a member of the Constituent Assembly.

Children born to marriages between British men and Indian women began to form a new community throughout Britain's centuries in India. During the British Raj, Anglo-Indians made up a modest but considerable segment of the population, and they were highly represented in some administrative jobs. The documented Anglo-Indian population in modern-day India has decreased from about 300,000 at the time of independence in 1947 to around 125,000-150,000. Because of the nature of British Indian connections and stigma during the colonial period, many Anglo-Indians' ethnicity was often unreported or mistakenly defined.

As we have already understood the Anglo Indian definition we can now understand the history and impact of the community in modern-day Indian politics. The article focused on describing Anglo India meaning, Anglo Indian origin and the impact on Indian history.

Anglo Indian Origin and History

The term "Anglo-Indian" was first used to refer to all British people who lived in India. "Eurasians" were described as people of mixed British and Indian ancestry. The latter group is now referred to as "Anglo-Indians," which is the term that is used commonly throughout the nation. The community began in Madras shortly after the British East India Company founded a foothold there in 1639. Until 1791, when Anglo-Indians were barred from positions of leadership in the East India Company's civil, military, and maritime services, the group identified with and was recognised by the British.

Anglo-Indians sided with the British during the Indian uprising of 1857, and as a result, enjoyed preferential treatment from the British administration over Indians, serving in great numbers in critical areas such as railways, postal and telegraph services, and customs. Anglo-Indians were allocated one reserved seat in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1919. The Anglo-Indians who spoke English sided with the British against the nationalist Congress Party.

State of Anglo Indian Community Under British Rule

Originally, Anglo-Indians were banned from the British legal system under Regulation VIII of 1813, and in Bengal, they were subject to Islamic law outside of Calcutta, despite the fact that they had no caste or standing among those who were to judge them. This concurred with the company officially allowing Christian missionaries, evangelical organizations and popular writers at the time to enter India.

Marriages were becoming increasingly unpopular among the Company elite and Anglo-Indian women. By the 1830s, the public dances for the female wards of the Upper Military Academy in Calcutta, which had been so popular fifty years before, had been abolished. The public debate over marriages to Indian and Anglo-Indian women avoided the issue of race and instead focused on their social consequences, some of the most important arguments provided were: they did not fit in with British society, lacked education, women of Anglo Indian community were hesitant to leave India when their husbands retired, and, perhaps most importantly, would jeopardise an ambitious husband's career.

A pamphlet titled "Thoughts on how to better the condition of Indo-Britons" was prepared in 1821 by a "Practical Reformer" to advocate the eradication of prejudices held by young Eurasians towards joining in trades. The pamphlet "An Appeal on behalf of Indo-Britons" was followed by the first pamphlet. The "East Indian Committee" was created in Calcutta by prominent Eurasians with the goal of petitioning the British parliament for resolution of their problems.

A pioneer in the Anglo Indian community, John William Ricketts, offered to go to England. His mission was successful, and when he returned to India via Madras, he was greeted with a standing ovation by his compatriots in that presidency; and he was then warmly welcomed in Calcutta, where a report on his journey was read at a public assembly convened in the Calcutta Town Hall. The Indian government was required to provide government posts to Anglo-Indians in April 1834, in accordance with an Act of Parliament approved in August 1833.

British males became less likely to marry Indian women when huge numbers of British women began to arrive in India in the early to mid-19th century, usually as family members of officers and soldiers. After the events of the 1857 Rebellion, intermarriage plummeted, and many anti-miscegenation laws were enacted. As a result, both the British and Indian communities in India ignored Anglo Indians.

Anglo Indian Communities and Indian Independence

As we have already understood the Anglo Indian definition and the meaning of Anglo Indians in India and have created a brief idea of Anglo Indian origin and plight in the country, we can now move toward understanding the events around the time of Indian independence. 

The All-India Anglo-Indian Association was anti-partition during the Indian independence movement, and its then-president Frank Anthony chastised colonial authorities for "racial discrimination in pay and allowances, and for failing to acknowledge the sterling military and civil contributions made by Anglo-Indians to the Raj."

The plight of the Anglo Indian community was rather critical at the time of India's independence. Given their English lineage, many felt a sense of attachment to a British "home" that they had never seen and where they would face social rejection. (Bhowani Junction explores the Anglo-Indian community's identity issue throughout the 20th-century independence movement.) They were uneasy in a country where membership in the independence struggle was seen as a requirement for major government jobs.

In 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians fled the nation, expecting to start a new life in the United Kingdom or the British Commonwealth, such as Australia or Canada. The exodus continued through the 1950s and 1960s, and by the late 1990s, the majority of Anglo-Indians had gone, with many more hoping to do so.

Anglo Indian Community and Modern-day Indian Politics

Anglo Indians are the only community in India whose representatives are elected by nomination to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. If no member of the Anglo Indian community is elected among the 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the President of India is authorized to designate two members of this group.

Similarly, the governor of the state has the authority to appoint one Anglo Indian to the State Legislature's lower chamber (in case of under representation). According to the Constitution's 10th schedule, any Anglo-Indian member can join any political party within six months of being nominated. Following their membership, they are obligated to the party whip and must work in the house in accordance with the party's programme.

It is important to keep in mind that nominated members have all of the same powers as a regular MP. However, because they are nominated by the President, they are unable to vote in the President's election.

The Bharatiya Janata Party currently has two Anglo-Indian MPs in Parliament. These are Kerala's Richard Hay and West Bengal's George Baker.

India is a country with a wide range of cultural influences. People from all walks of life and cultures are respected and represented here. This is most likely why, between 1951 and 2014, members of the Anglo-Indian community were elected to Parliament to represent the people of their community.

The List of Famous Anglo Indian

As we have understood the origin, history and role of the Anglo Indian community, we can now look into the famous Anglo Indian personalities, the list is mentioned below.

• Adam Sinclair, Indian Field Hockey player born in Coimbatore

• Alexander Cobbe, (General Sir Alexander Stanhope Cobbe) British general 

• Alistair McGowan, impressionist, comedian and actor

• Allan Sealy, novelist

• Amanda Rosario, actress

• Andrea Jeremiah, actress

• Andre Beteille, Indian sociologist

• Angie King, model

• Anna Leonowens (1834–1915), governess to the Siamese court 

• Pete Best, original drummer for the Beatles.

• Ruskin Bond, writer.

• Julie Christie, actress.

• Reginald Dyer, colonel.

• Augustus De Morgan, mathematician.

In conclusion of the article, it can be said that the Anglo Indian community is a small but important part of Indian history and politics.