South asian Immigration

Question 1

What did Britain use ‘India’ for in the early 1600s?

Answer 1

British traders went there to buy spices, dyes and textiles to sell back in Britain and over the next 250 years British traders built ‘trading posts’ along the South Asian Coast. They gradually took more and more of the land.

Question 2

What happened in 1857

Answer 2

There was a huge rebellion against foreign rule, the British Empire decided to put India directly under their control.

Question 3

What did Queen Victoria call herself after gaining control of India?

Answer 3

‘Empress of India’

Question 4

What were lascars?

Answer 4

South Asian immigrants who were sailors abord ship to bring goods into Britain. They ran lodging houses for other sailors, cafes and tea shops along the waterfront or became market traders between voyages.

Question 5

What were ‘ayahs’?

Answer 5

‘Ayahs’ were South Asian immigrants whi had settled into Britain as children’s nannies and servants of wealthy families.

Question 6

By the 1800s, how many South Asian immigrants were there in Britain?

Answer 6

Approximately 40,000

Question 7

Reasons for South Asian immigration to Britain

Answer 7

Violence in some parts if South Asia after the war.
Some places in South Asia suffered from cyclones, floods and famines.
People of South Asia were under British rule, meaning they could qualify for a British passport and live in Britain if they wanted to.