CLASSES OF ANGLO-INDIANS

Book:  Eric Swift

Page 40    "On the political side the British in India became divided.  There appeared to be three
           classes of British.  The British in authority, the British settler who used to classify
           himself as Anglo-Indian but changed to 'Domiciled European' and the Anglo-Indian. 
           These three categories of the British community were quite separate in their thinking
           and attitudes when their numbers were small.  However, over a period of several
           generations, due to inter-marriage, it was difficult to determine into which category a
           person belonged.  The genuine Anglo-Indian community, the third classification
           mentioned above, themselves were riddled with prejudice and often the determination
           of the classification of an Anglo-Indian was impossible.  The 'white' Anglo-Indians
           considered themselves in a different class to the darker skinned Anglo-Indian, who in
           turn looked down upon the black skinned Anglo-Indian."

           "The matter was further complicated by the offspring of the French, Dutch, Portuguese
           and other Europeans marrying into the Anglo-Indian and British community.  Another
           community which complicated the situation much further was the very large numbers
           of Indian Christians, who were the Indians converted to Christianity by the Church of
           England, the Roman Catholic church and a hoard of missionaries of various
           denominations.  These Indians had English style, usually biblical names like John David
           or Paul Anthony, etc..  These English style names made it difficult to determine the
           Indian Christian from the Anglo-Indian, especially the darker skinned Anglo-Indian."

Page 41    "These complications were further enhanced by the fact that the Anglo-Indian (including
           the British settler) was a privileged class in the eyes of the British Government, in
           whose mind the events of the American Colonists and their eventual Declaration of
           Independence, was paramount.  The British Government during its long rule in India
           could not come to terms with the Anglo-Indian community on whom they were so
           reliant.  The Anglo-Indians controlled India and they operated all the major institutions
           and organizations, including senior positions in the army, the civil service, the railways
           and the post and telegraph services.  Anglo-Indians also became involved in trade and
           commerce but to a lesser degree than the Indian or British organizations, for whom
           many worked.  With these extra privileges offered to the Anglo-Indian, the aim of most
           of the other smaller communities in India was to become a part of this British
           community."


                     "Perhaps because of the infiltration of other communities, the Company and later the
           British Government, could not quite make up its mind who were the Anglo-Indians and
           how to treat them.  Their attitude changed from administration to administration but in
           times of danger, such as the sepoy revolt and when in fear of the rise of Anglo-Indian
           political power, they would introduce preferential treatment regarding jobs, status and
           general well being of the Anglo-Indian.  Thus ensuring that the Anglo-Indian became
           heavily dependent on the British regarding their political, economic and social standing
           in India."