Emdad Rahman
23 June is the date of the Battle of Plassey. (Polashi)
This was a decisive day in 1757 when the British achieved victory in Bengal under Robert Clive. It was also the beginning of the British Indian Empire.
A project idea emerged out of the series of events that the Brick Lane Circle (BLC) organized to commemorate the 250 Years Anniversary of the Battle of Plassey.
BLC work to help develop deeper and shared common roots among the UK’s diverse population through research, knowledge sharing and learning about each other’s history, country of origin and experiences in the UK. Young people undertook research on a number of East India Company sites in East London, an area dotted with important locations and buildings that have historical links with Bengal.
Tower Hamlets is also the home of the largest concentration of Bangladeshi people in the UK. The 250 Years anniversary events of the British conquest of Bengal provided a focus for generating interest in learning about the shared heritage of East London. The young researchers were primarily recruited from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and given workshops, guided tours, mentoring support and assistance in writing their chapters. These activities helped familiarise participants about important East India Company sites and their historical links with Bengal and provide guidance on the sources of information.
“The East India Company first traded with the East and then conquered vast areas and ancient civilizations for Britain,” said Muhammad Ahmedullah, Secretary of BLC.
“It played a very important role in the British economic and imperial history for 250 years, starting from 1600 when the company was first chartered by Queen Elizabeth.
“The successes and benefits that the Company achieved for Britain also had devastating consequences for India and Bengal in particular.”
A current exhibition at the Mile End Arts Pavilion has bought this shared history to light and generated interest widely through exploring and sharing knowledge about East India Company sites in East London
The East India Company first traded with the East and then conquered vast areas and ancient civilizations for Britain. It played a very important role in the British economic and imperial history for 250 years, starting from 1600 when the company was first chartered by Queen Elizabeth I. The successes and benefits that the Company achieved for Britain also had devastating consequences for India and Bengal in particular. The project has bought this shared history to light and generate interest widely through exploring and sharing knowledge about East India Company sites in East London.
It is envisaged that by becoming familiar with East India company locations and sites and their historical roles, the diverse communities in East London will develop a greater sense of connectivity and linked roots. Ahmedullah added; “this will increase the levels of interest on local heritage; enable more people to develop deeper intellectual, creative and leisure interactions with the area's past and help improve community cohesion.”
The information generated and disseminated has resulted in a renewed level of interest on the heritage of East London, especially among the local Bangladeshi population, which means that there will be an increase in the level of desire to discover, preserve and publicise the importance of local heritage.
A greatly enthusiastic Ahmedullah talked us through the exhibition. You don’t need to be a historian to figure that Calcutta was once indeed the crown jewel, the very centre of British power.
We were shown the magnificent United Kingdom abodes and domiciles belonging to Lord Clive – all purchased through spoils gained through the looting of Calcutta.
Lothifa Choudhury has been involved with the Brick Lane Circle since 2008.
Lothifa graduated in history from the school of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS). Currently she is studying for her masters degree in near and middle eastern studies. Lothifa has lived in the East End all her life, and attended Mulberry school for girls.
It was interesting to converse with Lothifa, gaining valuable insight into the energy behind the participation and contribution of young people within the project. She said; “As a British Bangladeshi, I feel that there is a huge whole when it comes to studying such an important and vital era of our history.
“The British history curriculum rather disappoints. We rightfully study British history, the holocaust, and American history. But we miss this glorious period completely out.
“More local people will understand and appreciate the value of the many buildings and sites that they see every day around them - which previously had very little relevance to their life.
“They will develop a deeper historical and worldwide perspective of their neighbourhoods.”
The participation of young people like Lothifa has helped diverse groups who live in the area to develop a greater level of understanding about how their neighbourhoods and surrounding areas are connected and the historical and local heritage sites will provide the anchor for such connections. This has enabled people to develop a deeper appreciation of their shared and historically linked roots and thereby enhance the scope of celebrating both local heritage and the valuing of diversity.
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| “This is an excellent project which will bring to life the East India Company’s legacy in London” - Nick Robins (author of The Corporation that Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational) |
Special credit is reserved for respected academics such as Georgie Wemyss who out of her own volition put together a course aimed at 16-18 year olds. “In essence this is an access course on South Asian history,” said Lothifa.
The young people involved have benefitted tremendously from participating on this project – “It’s been really exciting,” enthused Lothifa. I did not expect to learn so much and it has been a superb opportunity to engage with, participate and learn about the Bangladeshi cultural system.
Lothifa’s words have an admirable ring to them: “We have received plenty of positive feedback.”
In light of the reality of the wholesale Tory cuts massacre it is nice to be informed that the project is financially ring fenced for the foreseeable future. Lothifa agrees that more exposure is needed and there is a greater need for more young people to get involved: “Our long term future is crucial, and it is important that BLC continues to get funding ion the future as well as interest from the local community.”
The research and findings of the young people involved in this project have been pertinent to the whole community and they deserve recognition and adoration for taking such brilliant steps.
Ahmedullah, the BLC and young people such as Lothifa must take great credit for sharing and reviving such wonderful aspects of our rich and glorious history. I for one have assured them of my continued support.
The events organised by Brick Lane Circle have bought together a number of scholars, researchers and members of the community where the context, impacts and the implications of the Battle of Plassey have been explored. This project has provided a focus to engage people from diverse backgrounds to explore the area's historical links with Bengal. It will also help widen the public appreciation of the deeper historical connections between London’s multi-cultural communities.
