The Sikhs in Britain

The Sikhs were the first race to migrate in large numbers from the Asian sub-continent to Britain. During three major periods of mass migration - 1900, 1950s and 1970s - tradesmen, servants, nobility and peddlars settled in this small island. Peter Bance's new and fascinating book is a lavishly illustrated portrayal of the social history of the Sikhs in Britain and their contribution to British society. He captures their struggles and successes through the stories of individuals; from early Sikh immigrants and labourers brought over on colonial ships by wealthy nabobs to travelling salesmen at the turn of the century, from rich visiting maharajahs to the modern Sikhs of today. The photographs, many of which are drawn from private collections, show makeshift places of worship in the early days, the golden days of glory as maharajahs visited British royalty, Sikhs based in Britain serving in the military, as well as portraits of marriages, social life, employment and religion. Many Sikhs integrated fully into their new society: joining the Suffragettes, setting up businesses, or sharing the local passion for cricket. This book, written by a leading specialist in Anglo-Sikh history, reveals the importance of the contribution of the Sikhs to Britain.