South Asian Immigration

Question 1

Which South Asian countries were involved in immigration to Britain?

Answer 1

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

These countries have historical ties to Britain due to colonialism.

Question 2

What was the main occupation of the largest group of South Asian immigrants in London?

Answer 2

Sailors

Indian sailors made up a significant portion of early South Asian immigrants.

Question 3

In which British cities were South Asian students, servants, and nannies found?

Answer 3

Oxford, Bristol, Cambridge

These cities had notable South Asian communities aside from London.

Question 4

What reward was offered for the safe return of a ‘runaway Indian’ in 1688?

Answer 4

20 shillings

This is approximately £90 in today’s currency.

Question 5

By what year had the number of South Asian immigrants in Britain reached around 400,000?

Answer 5

1971

This number represented about 1% of the total British population at the time.

Question 6

What were some reasons for South Asian migration to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s?

Answer 6

Violence, natural disasters, poverty

Many sought better opportunities due to adverse conditions in their home countries.

Question 7

What types of natural disasters affected South Asia, prompting emigration?

Answer 7

Cyclones, floods, famines

These disasters contributed to widespread poverty and suffering.

Question 8

What advantage did South Asians have regarding immigration to Britain due to their historical ties?

Answer 8

British passport holders

Due to their countries being part of the British Empire, they were eligible for British passports.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Many South Asians saw _______ as their only hope due to terrible poverty.

Answer 9

emigration

Emigration was viewed as a solution to dire conditions.

Question 10

Why did the vast majority of South Asians come to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s?

Answer 10

Jobs!

Many immigrants were unskilled workers invited to fill labor shortages in key industries.

Question 11

What type of professional qualifications did some South Asian immigrants possess?

Answer 11

Many were doctors.

They came to work in Britain’s hospitals.

Question 12

Name two key industries where South Asian immigrants found work in Britain.

Answer 12

• Rubber manufacturing
• Textile mills

Other industries included iron foundries and steelworks.

Question 13

What significant event in Kenya led to an influx of Indian and Pakistani immigrants to Britain in the 1960s?

Answer 13

The expulsion of Indians and Pakistanis from Kenya.

This was followed by Uganda’s expulsion of Ugandan Asians in 1972.

Question 14

How many Ugandan Asians did Britain agree to accept after Idi Amin’s expulsion?

Answer 14

21,000 immigrants.

This was amidst public concern about the capacity to cope with new immigrants.

Question 15

What was a common family dynamic among South Asian immigrants in Britain during the initial years?

Answer 15

Many came alone, leaving families behind.

They would later bring their families over after settling.

Question 16

What percentage of Indian and Pakistani children in Britain had been born there by 1960?

Answer 16

Around 64%.

A report recorded 34,000 Indian children and 5,000 Pakistani children.

Question 17

What term did the next generation of South Asians in Britain commonly identify with?

Answer 17

British Asians.

They often viewed themselves as British first.

Question 18

True or False: Sukhjinder Singh identifies primarily as a British Asian rather than British.

Answer 18

False.

He sees himself as British first, then British Asian.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: A South Asian immigrant at work in a _______ mill in Bradford.

Answer 19

textile

Question 20

What percentage of South Asians were self-employed in 1974?

Answer 20

8%

This figure increased to 26% by 1991.

Question 21

How many South Asian restaurants and take-aways were there in Britain by 2010?

Answer 21

Around 9,000

The number of ‘curry-houses’ increased from 500 in 1960 to 3,000 by 1980.

Question 22

What is the estimated annual spending in South Asian restaurants in Britain?

Answer 22

Over £2 billion

These establishments employ around 70,000 people.

Question 23

What percentage of sweet shops, grocers, and newsagents in Britain were owned by South Asians in 1992?

Answer 23

70%

This statistic highlights the significant role of South Asians in the small business sector.

Question 24

What is a key strategy used by South Asian shopkeepers to compete with large supermarkets?

Answer 24

‘Open all hours’

This approach has helped them thrive by providing convenience to local communities.

Question 25

What type of service do corner shops provide that is particularly important for certain demographics?

Answer 25

Local and convenient service

This is especially important for the elderly and non-drivers.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: In the 1970s and 1980s, many of Britain’s factories, mills, and steelworks _______.

Answer 26

closed down

Question 27

True or False: The majority of small businesses started by South Asians in the last 30 years have been ‘corner shops’.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

What major event led to an influx of South Asian immigrants to Britain?

Answer 28

World War Two

This historical context is important for understanding the demographic changes in Britain.

Question 29

What is a common stereotype associated with South Asian small businesses?

Answer 29

‘Corner shops’

This term reflects the types of businesses commonly owned by South Asians.

Question 30

How did the experiences of South Asian immigrants in Britain vary?

Answer 30

Enormously, with some settling in well and others struggling to adapt.

Some immigrants worked hard, set up businesses, and achieved success, while others faced difficulties such as racial abuse and cultural conflict.

Question 31

What strategies did some South Asian immigrants use to fit into British society?

Answer 31

Wearing western fashions, learning English quickly, making English friends.

This adaptation sometimes caused tensions within families, particularly with older members wishing to preserve South Asian customs.

Question 32

What challenges did some South Asian immigrants face upon arriving in Britain?

Answer 32

Struggled to adapt, missed home, suffered racial abuse.

Many described their situation as a ‘no-win’ scenario.

Question 33

What accusations did immigrants face regarding employment?

Answer 33

Accused of being lazy and living off the state, or taking jobs from English people.

This reflects the complex societal attitudes towards immigrants in Britain.

Question 34

What did Muhammed Huque describe in his experience as an immigrant?

Answer 34

Racial abuse and threats from groups like the National Front.

He highlighted the violence and intimidation faced by South Asian immigrants.

Question 35

How did family expectations influence the upbringing of South Asian children in Britain?

Answer 35

Parents initially dressed children like the English but changed as relatives influenced traditional customs.

This led to a conflict between assimilation and cultural preservation.

Question 36

What was the reaction of local people towards South Asian immigrants upon their arrival?

Answer 36

Generally negative, with hostility and accusations of taking jobs.

This reflects the xenophobic attitudes that some immigrants encountered.

Question 37

What positive experience did Mrs. Hussain share about her arrival in Britain?

Answer 37

She had close contact and friendship with her white neighbors, creating a friendly atmosphere.

Her experience contrasts sharply with the hostility reported by others.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: Immigrants without jobs were accused of being _______.

Answer 38

lazy and living off the state.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: Some immigrants tried to fit in by learning _______ as quickly as possible.

Answer 39

English.

Question 40

True or False: All South Asian immigrants in Britain faced the same level of acceptance and integration.

Answer 40

False.

Experiences varied widely among immigrants.

Question 41

What did Mohamed Zaman Khan emphasize about his identity as an immigrant?

Answer 41

He claimed the country was also his, having fought for it in World War II.

This highlights the contributions of South Asian immigrants to British society.