South Asian Britain: Connecting Histories

Join us for an evening of captivating readings, thought-provoking conversations, and a uniquely immersive oral history ‘sound bath’ that brings to life the rich and diverse ways South Asians have shaped British culture and society over the centuries.

From 19th-century seafarers who opened cafés and lodging houses, to ayahs – known as ‘nurses of ocean highways’ – who cared for families traveling from India to Britain; from pioneering figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, elected MP for Central Finsbury in 1892, to trailblazers such as Sophia Duleep Singh, an early women’s suffrage campaigner and goddaughter of Queen Victoria; and activists like Jayaben Desai, who fought for workers’ rights in the 1970s – this event celebrates the extraordinary stories of South Asian changemakers throughout British history.

Marking the launch of South Asian Britain: Connecting Histories, a groundbreaking new digital hub featuring over 750 entries, digitised archival materials, oral histories, and educational resources, this event offers a unique chance to explore and connect with these inspiring stories.

Join Mukti Jain Campion, Susheila Nasta, Kavita Puri and others – the full line-up of participants will be listed soon.

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