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British Raj

Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

The British Raj was the rule of the British Crown over South Asia and some nearby areas from 1858 to 1947. This guide deals mainly with the Indian Subcontinent — today the countries of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — in that period, and with aspects of the Raj left behind in those countries. However, the British presence in the region started long before the Crown took control in 1858 and their influence extended beyond the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Other areas were also administered as part of the Raj at times — Ceylon, Burma (Lower Burma 1858-1937, Upper Burma 1886-1937), Aden (1858-1937), and even briefly Singapore (1858-1867) and Somalia (1884-1898). The Trucial States on the Persian Gulf were British protectorates 1820-1968 and for part of that time they were considered princely states of the Raj; after 1971 they became the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman were also governed as British protectorates from their colony in India at various points in their history.

UnderstandThe region has a very long and complex history and we do not try to cover it all here, not even for the period of the Raj.
SeeThe British left behind a legacy of great architecture which is still evident in many parts of South Asia, including neo-Gothic and European styles of churches, which can be seen in what is today are railway stations,…
EatAn Anglo-Indian cuisine developed, largely based on dishes that Indian cooks made for their British employers during the Raj.
Indian diasporaDuring the Raj, the British brought many indentured Indian labourers, as well as colonial administrators, soldiers and policemen, to their colonies around the world, many of whom established Indian diaspora communities.
See also

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