Historical Background:
The majority of South-Asian migration to Britain began to gain momentum from the 1950’s, yet Britain has seen Asian settlers from as early as 1688. In the 1950s the great majority of the Asian minority in Britain were of Sikh origin and came mainly from two districts in eastern Punjab from the north of the sub-continent. Among other groups were Hindus from Gujarat, in the west of India. A small number of Muslims and Parsees added to the mixture of Britain’s Asian populace.

The majority of the migratory population from Pakistan who came to Britain from 1947 until 1960 originated in the hill districts in the west and east of the country, from Mirpur and Sylhet, respectively. It was not until the 1962 ‘Commonwealth Immigrants Act’ marked a serious shift in immigration patterns, that we saw a greater influx of Asians into Britain.
Reasons for migration:

• India was an ex-colony of Britain’s therefore there were already existing links.

• Attraction to the prospect of a more favourable economy.

• An existing shortage in the labour supply in Britain.

• The sponsorship and patronage of friends and relatives already residing in the UK.

• Most Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshi have arrived to the UK as factory workers in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Locations:
The majority of Asians settling in post-war Britain took up residence mainly in London, the Midlands and industrial areas in the north. Chain migration resulted in large numbers of Asians settling in particular areas.

Approximately 90% of Pakistani’s in Bradford and Birmingham came originally from the area of Mirpur. Similarly, the majority of East African Asians flocked to Wembley and Harrow in Greater London whilst the Sikh community settled in Southall and the West Midlands by large.

The Bangladeshi community (95% of which originated from the rural district of Sylhet) resided in Tower Hamlets, making up 22.9% of its population. These initial patterns of settlement have shown little change over the last fifty years.

Migration Statistics:
• In 1968 - 223, 000 Indians and 119,000 Pakistanis lived in Britain.

• By 1980 a total of 500, 000 Asians had settled in Britain.

• During the 45 year post-war period (1945-1990) an outstanding 436, 000 Pakistanis and 780,000 Indians came to Britain.