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India's Independence: The London Story
05/07/2007
The Out of India display, showing at the Museum of London throughout the summer.
Sixty years after independence, where can you find out about the Indian campaigners whose story is so intertwined with London?
We pick a few of the London landmarks, exhibitions and archives that explore the history.
1. Local historian Mimi Romilly tells us about some of the Indian independence campaigners who lived in London - from well known figures like Nehru and Gandhi to the student activists who kept the cause alive over several decades.
2. Photographer Stacey Yates revisits Kingsley Hall, Bow, where Gandhi stayed for three months in 1931 whilst attending the Round Table Conference about the future of India.
Image: photo shows open door with bedroll inside
Gandhi's cell at Kingsley Hall. Photo: Stacey Yates
3. The British Library holds the surviving archives of the English East India Company and the India Office, documenting in printed, manuscript and visual form almost all aspects of Britain's involvement in South Asia from 1600 up to independence and partition in 1947.
But if you don't feel like combing through all these records, there's a small display of papers in the library's Folio Gallery, concentrating on material banned by the British Government in India 1910 - 1940. 19th July - 7th October 2007. FREE
Image: photo shows demonstrators in London
Demonstrators on their way to Downing Street on a 'Direct Action Day' called by the All India Muslim League.
4. Britain's first Asian MP, Dadabhai Naoroji was also a committed Indian nationalist. When he was elected to the Borough of Finsbury in 1893, the people of his home town of Bombay sent a present to the electors of Finsbury: an intricately carved wooden box filled with photographs of their city. The box and its contents are on display at Islington Local History Centre until 30th September 2007. FREE
Image: photo shows film poster
A poster for a Pakistani film, Shama, showing at the Astoria cinema. Copyright Museum of London
5. Meanwhile a small display at the Museum of London looks at the story of Indians in London from the Victorian period onwards, through an eclectic mix of objects: Hindu statues recovered from the Thames, early paintings and pictures of Indian life in London, including this early image of Indian suffragettes.
But head first for the soundpost where groups including Asian Dub Foundation, Rishi Rich and Panjabi Hit Squad (with some help from Miss Scandalous) give a whistlestop masterclass in the modern sound of Asian London. It's great to look back on a century of history with these confident, stylesetting beats in your head.
British Library, London
British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, England
T: 020 7412 7332
Open: Mon, Wed-Fri 0930-1800
Tues 0930-2000
Sat 0930-1700
Sun and English Public Holidays 1100-1700
Closed: 24 - 28 December 2007
1 January 2007
Closing at 17.00 23 and 29 - 31 December 2007
Museum of London
Museum of London, London Wall, London, EC2Y 5HN, England
T: 0870 444 3852
Open: Museum and Shop opening times:
Open daily 10am to 6pm.
Last admission 5.30pm
Café opening times:
Open 10.00am to 5.00pm
Closed: 24-26 December
Islington Local History Centre
Finsbury Library, 245 St. John Street, Islington, EC1V 4NB, England
Open: By appointment
Monday: 10-1pm, 2-8pm
Tuesday: 10-1pm, 2-5pm
Thursday: 10-1pm, 2-8pm
Friday: 10-1pm
Alternate Saturdays: 10-1pm, 2-5pm
Closed: Wednesdays
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