Calcutta as a Site of Post-colonial Identity Formation: Interactions and Experiences of the Anglo-Indian Community

Abstract

The Anglo-Indian community of Calcutta, a product of British colonial rule, occupies a unique cultural and social space within the city. Historically positioned between the British and Indian populations, they developed distinct identity markers such as the English language, Christianity, Western attire, and cuisine. However, their identity has never been static; rather, it has undergone significant transformations, particularly in postcolonial Calcutta. This paper explores how the Anglo-Indian community of Calcutta navigates its identity in a postcolonial urban landscape, engaging with issues of cultural hybridity, spatial belonging, and social adaptation. Through an ethnographic lens, the study examines the evolving identity markers of Anglo-Indians in the city, highlighting the impact of migration, cultural assimilation, and interactions with the dominant Bengali Hindu and Muslim communities. Everyday spaces such as neighbourhoods, churches, schools, and workplaces serve as sites where their identity is negotiated and performed. The paper discusses how language use, dress patterns, food habits, and social practices reflect a process of adaptation and localisation while still retaining elements of their colonial heritage. It also addresses how the challenges of identity labelling and stereotyping influence both internal self-perception and external social integration. Drawing from postcolonial theories and urban ethnography, the study argues that the Anglo-Indian identity in Calcutta is neither fixed nor easily defined. Instead, it remains fluid, shaped by historical legacies, contemporary social realities, and individual agency.