11 South Asians in post-imperial Britain
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Shompa Lahiri
Abstract
This chapter explores how the legacies of empire became manifest in British attitudes and policies towards South Asians in their midst. It also explores South Asian responses to the British and Britain during the era of decolonisation, within the realms of politics, migration, employment, social attitudes and cultural forms. Like Kamala Markandaya, Hanif Kureishi does refer to the contrasting treatment of Asians in imperial and post-imperial Britain in his novel Borderline. The persistence of British imperial attitudes was accompanied by a reluctance to relinquish colonial mentalities completely, evident in the lingering appeal of Britain for western-educated Indians, particularly writers. Echoes of the imperial past feature prominently in the work of writers of Indian origin in post-war Britain. The legacy of imperial benevolence, which characterised the immediate post-war years, can be seen in the paternalistic tone accompanying public discussions of Commonwealth immigration.
Abstract
This chapter explores how the legacies of empire became manifest in British attitudes and policies towards South Asians in their midst. It also explores South Asian responses to the British and Britain during the era of decolonisation, within the realms of politics, migration, employment, social attitudes and cultural forms. Like Kamala Markandaya, Hanif Kureishi does refer to the contrasting treatment of Asians in imperial and post-imperial Britain in his novel Borderline. The persistence of British imperial attitudes was accompanied by a reluctance to relinquish colonial mentalities completely, evident in the lingering appeal of Britain for western-educated Indians, particularly writers. Echoes of the imperial past feature prominently in the work of writers of Indian origin in post-war Britain. The legacy of imperial benevolence, which characterised the immediate post-war years, can be seen in the paternalistic tone accompanying public discussions of Commonwealth immigration.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- General editor’s introduction vi
- Notes on contributors viii
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The persistence of empire in metropolitan culture 21
- 2 Empire loyalists and ‘Commonwealth men’ 37
- 3 Coronation Everest 57
- 4 Look back at empire 73
- 5 ‘No nation could be broker’ 91
- 6 The imperial game in crisis 111
- 7 Imperial heroes for a post-imperial age 128
- 8 Imperial legacies, new frontiers 145
- 9 Wandering in the wake of empire 163
- 10 Communities of Britishness 180
- 11 South Asians in post-imperial Britain 200
- 12 India, Inc.? 217
- Index 233
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- General editor’s introduction vi
- Notes on contributors viii
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The persistence of empire in metropolitan culture 21
- 2 Empire loyalists and ‘Commonwealth men’ 37
- 3 Coronation Everest 57
- 4 Look back at empire 73
- 5 ‘No nation could be broker’ 91
- 6 The imperial game in crisis 111
- 7 Imperial heroes for a post-imperial age 128
- 8 Imperial legacies, new frontiers 145
- 9 Wandering in the wake of empire 163
- 10 Communities of Britishness 180
- 11 South Asians in post-imperial Britain 200
- 12 India, Inc.? 217
- Index 233
