Natives and newcomers, marriage and belonging : South Asian social networks of immigration, work and settlement in the Sheffield area during the early twentieth century
Apart from the port riots of 1919-20, historians have generally ascribed little significance to the presence of non-white immigrants in Britain before 1948. However, this thesis contends that the settlement 'bridgeheads' established by South Asian pioneers played a key role in aiding mass immigration to Britain after 1948, in the post-Partition, post-British Nationality Act, post-Windrush era. These bridgeheads were formed by alliances between white working-class natives and South Asians, mostly former seafarers, but including dedicated pedlars, through social networks of marriage and friendship, as workmates and neighbours. They formed nodes on a growing trans-imperial network which facilitated the further migration of Indian kin and countrymen. Marriages took place across Britain, particularly in ports, but also inland, and a settlement of natives and newcomers, previously un-researched, developed in the Sheffield area after the First World War. Many of these men from British India (now Pakistan and Indian Punjab), married working-class women native to the city and raised families together. The men's original intention was a sojourning, economic migration, but their unions with white natives appear to have
Holland, David
Natives and newcomers, marriage and belonging : South Asian social networks of immigration, work and settlement in the Sheffield area during the early twentieth century. Apart from the port riots of 1919-20, historians have generally ascribed little significance to the presence of non-white immigrants in Britain before 1948. However, this thesis contends that the settlement 'bridgeheads' established by South Asian pioneers played a key role in aiding mass immigration to Britain after 1948, in the post-Partition, post-British Nationality Act, post-Windrush era. These bridgeheads were formed by alliances between white working-class natives and South Asians, mostly former seafarers, but including dedicated pedlars, through social networks of marriage and friendship, as workmates and neighbours. They formed nodes on a growing trans-imperial network which facilitated the further migration of Indian kin and countrymen. Marriages took place across Britain, particularly in ports, but also inland, and a settlement of natives and newcomers, previously un-researched, developed in the Sheffield area after the First World War. Many of these men from British India (now Pakistan and Indian Punjab), married working-class women native to the city and raised families together. The men's original intention was a sojourning, economic migration, but their unions with white natives appear to have
newcomer marriage belonging south_asian social_network immigration work settlement sheffield area apart port riot historian generally ascribe little significance presence non_white immigrant britain however contend settlement establish south_asian pioneer play_key_role aid mass immigration britain post partition post british nationality act post era form alliance white working_class native south mostly former seafarer include dedicated social_network marriage friendship neighbour form node grow trans imperial network facilitate migration indian kin take_place across_britain particularly port also inland settlement native newcomer previously researched developed sheffield area first_world_war many men british_india pakistan indian punjab marry working_class woman native city raise family together men original intention economic migration union white native appear