Despite their Indian heritage, the Anglo-Indian community proudly asserts its unique identity, a vibrant tapestry woven from both Indian and European threads. Numbering around two lakh across India, with approximately two thousand residing in Delhi, this community stands out for their consistent use of English, often the language spoken within their own homes.
Christmas holds a special significance for Anglo-Indians, and the annual Christmas dance is a highly anticipated event. Every year on December 26th, members of the community gather at the Frank Anthony School in Delhi for a lively dance that stretches from the evening into the early hours of the morning. As writer and Anglo-Indian community figure, late Keith Flory used to say, “It’s always fun to be a part of it. With Delhi is so vast, these events provide a rare opportunity to reconnect with friends and family.”
The Anglo-Indian community also boasts a remarkable legacy of accomplished individuals, including Oscar Stanley Dawson (ex-Chief of the Indian Navy), Roger Binny (former Indian cricketer), Leslie Claudius (hockey legend), actress Diana Hayden, Wilson Jones (billiards world champion), Denzil Keelor and Trevor Keelor (IAF heroes of the 1971 war), and quizmaster and MP Derek O’Brien, among many others.
The Anglo-Indian community’s journey has been one of constant adaptation and evolution. Teacher and community member, Sydney Reberio, observes, “While we are becoming more and more Indian, the urban Indian middle class is turning western. Now, we don’t mind dancing to Hindi film songs, a shift from perhaps 15 years ago.” This demonstrates a dynamic interplay between cultural influences.
Understanding Anglo-Indian Heritage
The Anglo-Indian identity is rooted in a history of mixed lineage, dating back 300 years to the colonial era. In the 18th century, the British East India Company encouraged its employees to marry local women, even offering financial incentives for each child born from these unions. However, by the late 19th century, with the arrival of more British women following the construction of the Suez Canal, such mixed marriages became less common.
Following India’s independence, many Anglo-Indians faced the difficult choice of whether to stay or leave. Many left in the 1950s and 1960s, mainly for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK,” recounts Brother Solomon of Delhi Brother Society ( DBS) Despite this emigration, the Anglo-Indian presence in India remains, particularly in cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai. It was DBS that established the St. Stephen’s College in Delhi. It has recently opened St. Stephen’s Cambridge School in Delhi- Haryana border.
While often associated with other Indian cities, the Anglo-Indian community in national capital has a long and rich history, even preceding the city’s establishment as the capital. As employment opportunities increased, many Anglo-Indian families migrated to Delhi, initially settling in areas such as Mori Gate, Kashmere Gate, and the railway colony of Kodia Pull, where many found work in the railways. Notably, M. Gatlin, a member of the 1928 and 1932 Indian hockey squads, hailed from Mori Gate.
The community’s influence expanded alongside Delhi’s growth as a capital. Many Anglo-Indians secured jobs in government departments like the Post and Telegraph, Railways, and Customs. They then established themselves in newer areas like Chelmsford Road, Atul Grove Road, Janpath Lane, and Connaught Place.
Who was their Mentor?
Frank Anthony was the mentor of the Anglo Indian community. He was from Jabalpur though settled here in Delhi. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly. “ Frank Anthony established the Frank Anthony School in South Delhi. Its junior school ran from the same place where the Gidney Club is located, until 1975. He was elected president of the All India Anglo-Indian Association in 1942. He opposed the partition of India on the grounds that it would endanger the interests of minority communities. When the future of India was being decided by British, Hindu, and Muslim leaders, he presented the case of the Anglo-Indian community before Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Jawaharlal Nehru. He was nominated to the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Lok Sabha,” informs Brother Solomon George of Delhi Brother Society and prominent member of Protestant Christian community of Delhi. He is closely connected with local Anglo Indian community
Key Landmarks and Achievements
Today, landmarks like the Gidney Club in Connaught Place and the Frank Anthony School in Lajpat Nagar stand as key pillars of the Anglo-Indian community in Delhi. The school, founded in 1959 by esteemed community leader and long-time Lok Sabha member, Frank Anthony, serves as a center for education and community gatherings.
“Anglo-Indians are known for their openness. They readily embrace intermarriage and take pride in their dual heritage. Social grace, refined manners, and a love for music and club life are often considered defining aspects of their culture,” says Brother Solomon George, who also works as a priest in Church.
Community Life and Legacy
The Gidney Club, established in the 1930s, remains a vital social hub, hosting birthday parties, meetings, and casual card games for its members. Professor Sydney Rebeiro, an English professor at Delhi University, notes that Anglo-Indian women were pioneers in the workforce, frequently employed as secretaries, teachers, nurses, stenographers, and telephone operators. He emphasizes the preference for Anglo-Indian women in such roles, largely due to their proficiency in English. Professor Rebeiro’s own mother, Mary Isaacs Rebeiro, was a trailblazer, becoming Independent India’s first woman postmistress, initially at Mori Gate and later at the GPO in Kashmere Gate.
The community’s deep connection to Delhi is also evident in their emotional attachment to St. James’ Church at Kashmere Gate, also known as Skinner’s Church. This historic church, built in 1836 by Colonel James Skinner, an Anglo-Indian himself, stands as a testament to their enduring legacy within the city. Skinner’s father was a Scot, Lieutenant-Colonel Hercules Skinner, while his mother was a Rajput. This makes it perhaps the first church built by an Anglo Indian.
This rewritten version aims to present the information in a more engaging way, emphasizing the cultural nuances and historical significance of the Anglo-Indian community. It also incorporates smoother transitions and richer vocabulary.
Email:—————–vivekshukladelhi@gmail.com