ABSTRACT
Anglo-Indians are a mixed descent Indian minority community, originating from the series of European colonial powers which formed trade and other relationships with India from the late fifteenth century. Members of the community traditionally identified with their Western paternal forebears through their practices of language, dress, food, and religion, and in their worldviews. Since India gained its independence from Britain many have migrated from India to Western countries, but there is a sizable population residing in India. Discussion of their identity, is increasingly following a familiar pattern, with a supposed ‘identity crisis’ being suggested. My research suggests that while Anglo-Indian identity is fluid and changing, it is not in a state of crisis. This chapter’s focus is an exploration of ideas around Anglo-Indian identity, drawing on both published and ethnographically-sourced data. It looks at what it means for a group to experience an identity crisis, arguing that Anglo-Indians form a strong and distinct ethnic group in India.
