Asian Britain

Following the publication of Black Britain in 2007, Saqi have produced another decent book of photographs charting the lives of migrants in Britain.

The story of south Asians in Britain is weaved through a broader history of work, culture and politics.

Highlights include photographs of young Asians marching against the fascists in the 1960s and of Sikh workers at Ford’s in Dagenham.

What is striking is the historical reach of the book. Many people think of the first immigrants from the Indian sub-continent coming to work in Britain in the 1950s. This book shows the Asian seamen, students, servants and suffragettes who came before.

Although the photos are not remarkably striking individually, the scope of the book is impressive and makes for a comprehensive account of Asian life in Britain.

Asian Britain is available from Bookmarks bookshop.