Indian community of London

Indian community of London

Regions with significant populations
London Southall, Wembley, Hounslow, Brent, Croydon, Redbridge, Ealing, Barnet, Tooting, Harrow
Languages
English (British English, Indian English) · Hindi · Punjabi  · Urdu · Gujarati and Various Other Languages of India
Religion
Hinduism · Sikhism · Islam · Christianity · and many more
Related ethnic groups
Asian British · Indian Diaspora · Indian people · Anglo-Indians

Indians are London's largest non-white ethnic minority group, with a population of around 500,000 (which is more than the number of Indians in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal combined). The largest communities can be found in west London, with substantial populations in East, South and North London.

Many members of London's Indian community can trace their ancestry to the Indian states of Punjab and Gujarat, Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Rajastan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. A significant number of Indians in London come from East Africa, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa.

Communities with significant Indian populations

Community	Percentage of total population
Greater London	6.5%
Harrow	22.0%
Hounslow	18.3%
Brent	18.1%
Ealing	15.0%
Redbridge	14.3%
Newham	12.1%
Hillingdon	10.0%
Barnet	8.8%
Croydon	7.5%

Demographics

As of 2007, the Indian population of London was approximately 491,300 persons, not including those of partial Indian ancestry, which could be up to 70,000 more people.

Ethnicity

Bengal

Bengali Indians came from the Indian states

Bihari

There is a small number of Biharis in London. They are around 75% Hindu and about 20% Muslim.

Gujarati

Gujaratis are London's second largest Indian group. Many of them follow the religious belief of Hinduism, but there is a large minority of Muslims and Jains. Wembley, Croydon and the northeastern boroughs of London are large centres of the Gujarati community. Around a third of the Gujarati community came to London from East Africa or their parents came from East Africa.

Kannadiga

There is a small number of Kannadiga Indians in London. Most of them are Hindus, and some are Muslims.

Marathi

Many Marathis, from the Indian state Maharashtra, live in London. Almost all of them work in white collar professions. Most originated in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur and Kolhapur. They are 90% Hindu, with a Muslim minority.

Sindhi

There are a large number of Sindhi Indians in London, mostly Hindus. Many Sindhis live in Southall.

Tamil and Telugu

There is a small number of Tamil and Telugu Indians in London, mainly from Hyderabad and Chennai. Most of them are Hindus, with a small Muslim contingent. Many people are students who came for higher education, especially in the fields of computer science and information technology.

East African Indians in London

The second wave of Indians and South Asian immigration came from East Africa. Most came from Uganda after Idi Amin expelled the Asians from Uganda in 1972. In the 1970s they were followed by immigrants from Kenya. Most of the Indians in Africa were of Hindu Gujarati origin, with some Sikhs and Muslims.

Religious groups

Hinduism: The largest Hindu temple in Europe, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is located in Neasden, London. The number of Hindus in London is around 450,000, of which most are of Indian descent.

Sikhism: Next to Toronto and Vancouver (both in Canada), London has the wealthiest Sikh community outside of India. Most live in West London, Southall being the heart of the community.

Islam: Around 20% of Indians in London are Muslims. They are a very successful community, wealthier and better established than other Muslim groups in London, such as the Somali or Bangladeshi community. They are located primarily in Tooting in South London and in Redbridge /Newham in East London. Indian Muslims in London have strong connections to the Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslim community of London. Most Indian Muslims came from East Africa, Jamaica, Gujarat and Mumbai.

Christianity: There are a significant number of Christian Indians in London. Most of them are from the states of Kerala and Goa. Denominations include Indian Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.

Parsi: The Parsi community, which mostly comes from the state of Gujarat or from Mumbai, is also present in London.

Population spread

West London

In West London, close to Heathrow Airport, resides one of the UK's largest Indian communities. According to the 2001 Census, 39% of the people within the Ealing Southall constituency, comprising Southall and nearby areas, are of British Asian origin. Southall is a thriving Punjabi community, with Southall Broadway being popular for its Indian shops, cinemas and restaurants. Another Indian residential area is the London Borough of Hounslow.

Wembley is London's Gujarati capital. Wembley's main religion is Hinduism, although there is a sizable Gujarati Muslim community and a small Sikh community. Harrow hosts a large Indian community.

East London

Indians in East London mostly reside in the boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, Greenwich and Waltham Forest. Most of the members of East London's Indian community are of Hindu faith; there is a large Sikh community and a small Muslim minority. Green Street in East Ham has many Indian shops, although most of the area's residents are Pakistani British.

There is large population of Indians living in the Seven Kings and Goodmayes area. The Goodmayes High Road has many Asian (primarily Indian) restaurants.

South London

South London's Indian community is predominantly concentrated in London's largest borough, Croydon, and in Tooting. Most of South London's Indian community is of the Hindu faith, although there are sizable Muslim and Sikh communities. Tooting, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, is home to a large Gujarati Muslim communinity.

External links

• www.connectmums.com - Community for like minded Indian mums in UK, to share experience and thoughts
• Reassessing what we collect website - Indian London History of Indian London with objects and images
• Indian events in London Bolobolo.co.uk-an updated online resource on Indian events in London and activities for Indians in London
• Indian Community in London Indian community holding cultural and religious events
• Indian Mirror Magazine in London Magazine which reflects Indian Lifestyle
• All about Indians in London Information about Indian Food and Culture in London