Indian migration to the UK after 1947 occurred in distinct waves. The first wave brought male workers from Punjab and Gujarat to fill labor shortages. Later waves saw family reunification, East African Indian arrivals, and skilled professionals.
Various factors drove this migration, including political events like Partition and economic opportunities in Britain. Indian immigrants concentrated in urban areas, forming vibrant communities in cities like London, Birmingham, and Leicester.
Post-1947 Indian Migration to the UK
Waves of Indian migration post-1947
- First wave (1950s-1960s)
- Predominantly male migrants originating from Punjab and Gujarat regions of India
- Actively recruited by British industries to address labor shortages in sectors such as textiles and manufacturing (cotton mills)
- Second wave (1960s-1970s)
- Characterized by family reunification as wives and children joined the initial male migrants in the UK
- Significant influx of East African Indians following their expulsion from countries like Uganda (1972) and Kenya
- Third wave (1980s-present)
- Primarily consists of skilled professionals, including doctors, engineers, and IT specialists (software developers)
- Increasing number of Indian students pursuing higher education opportunities in British universities (Oxford, Cambridge)
Factors driving post-colonial Indian migration
- Political factors
- Mass displacement and migration triggered by the Partition of India in 1947 (formation of India and Pakistan)
- Forced expulsion of Indian communities from East African nations during the 1960s and 1970s (Africanization policies)
- Economic factors
- Post-World War II labor shortages in key sectors of the British economy (construction, transportation)
- Active recruitment of Indian workers to fill critical gaps in industries such as healthcare (NHS)
- Pursuit of better economic prospects and higher wages compared to opportunities available in India (poverty alleviation)
Distribution of Indian immigrants in UK
- Concentration in urban areas
- London hosts the largest Indian population, particularly in neighborhoods like Southall (Little India) and Wembley
- Significant Indian communities in other major cities such as Birmingham (Handsworth), Manchester, and Leicester (Belgrave)
- Regional variations
- Punjabi Sikhs predominantly settled in the West Midlands (Wolverhampton) and Greater London
- Gujarati Hindus mainly concentrated in Leicester and North West England (Bolton)
Colonial ties in Indian migration patterns
- Historical connections
- Prolonged period of British colonial rule in India spanning from the 18th century until independence in 1947
- Widespread English language proficiency among educated Indians resulting from the colonial education system (English-medium schools)
- Citizenship and legal rights
- The British Nationality Act of 1948 granted citizenship rights to Commonwealth subjects, including Indians (British passport holders)
- Right of entry and settlement in the UK for Commonwealth citizens remained in place until the Commonwealth Immigrants Act of 1962
- Cultural familiarity
- Extensive exposure to British culture and institutions during the colonial era (cricket, tea culture)
- Relative ease of integration for Indian immigrants due to their adaptation to British social norms and values (work ethic, family values)