Ethnic communities in Kanpur

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh is mostly occupied by people from Uttar Pradesh comprising majority of people from Indo Aryans. However beside from Uttar Pradesh there are also people from other states and countries like-Punjabis, Bengalis, South Indians, Anglo Indian, Gujaratis, Iraqis, Parsis etc.

Bengalis

The Bengali diaspora communities in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand are mostly composed of Brahmins and some other (for lack of a better term) "upper castes". Most of these moved to these places in the colonial period, starting as sepoys in the early nineteenth century and continuing as petty clerks in the administration, teachers and later, doctors, lawyers and officers in companies and businesses. Most of this stemmed from the "early adopter" advantage that the forward caste Bengalis had when it came to adopting Western education.

A big reason for Bengalis migrating to Kanpur is the fact that Bengal was the first Indian province that came under British rule and large swathes of Northern and Eastern India continued to be ruled from Calcutta for a long time. The cities of Varanasi and Allahabad too were in the British empire since the early nineteenth century, and the cities of Agra, Kanpur and Lucknow were added in 1836 to form the "North-Western Provinces". There is huge population of Bengalis in Bengali Mohal and Golaghat. Abhijeet Bhattacharya, a popular singer of Bengali origin belongs to Kanpur.

Punjabis

Poonam Dhillon belongs to Punjabi family of the city

There was presence of Punjabis in Kanpur before independence. Majority of them were indulge in industrial and trade activities. After 1947 many Hindu and Sikh migrants arrived at Kanpur from Pakistan. Govind Nagar, Gumti No. 5 and Harjinder Nagar are important Sikh localities in the city. After 1984 Sikh riots, many Sikh left to Punjab and Delhi thus decreasing the population of Punjabis. Hindu Punjabis are concentrated mainly all around the city with heavy population in Krishna Nagar and Shyam Nagar in the eastern part of city. Some Muslim Punjabi communities like Bisati and Shamsi are also found in the city who are indulged in leather business and other trades. Hard Kaur, a popular Hindi and English rap singer of Punjabi origin belongs to Kanpur. Poonam Dhillon, a popular film actress also belongs to Kanpur.

Parsis

Once a strong community with population above 800,at present there are 35 Parsis in Kanpur with their Fire Temple at The Mall. Most of the Parsis belong to Javeri family who came to the city as industrialists before independence.

South Indians

There is small population of South Indians concentrated all over the city. Most of them migrated to the city for job and education purpose and have permanently settled in the city.Most of them belong to Christianity and Hinduism religions. Malyalis and Tamils are more in population as compared to others.

Sindhis

There are about 1.5 lakh people of the Sindhi community in the city most of them merchants and businessman. They migrated to the city during partition in 1947. There is large community of them in Sindhi Colony in Shastri Nagar locality of the city.Satish Mahana, a prominent politician and social worker of the city belongs to Sindhi family.

Iraqis

Iraqis are community of Muslims who migrated to the city in the late 18th century from Eastern Uttar Pradesh. They have historic Iraqi origin, believed to have come to Indian in the 16th century from Sindh where they migrated in 712 AD during Arab conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim. They are mostly indulged in leather business and trade. They have majority population in Jajmau area of the city where leather tanneries are concentrated in large amount. Presently their population in Kanpur is estimated to be above 30 thousand. Most of the community members speak Bhojpuri and maintain a strong affiliation with their Eastern UP roots with many still having ancestral houses in the Bhojpuri belt of UP. About 80% of the tanneries are owned by the Iraqi population and provides employment to over 2.5 lakh people

Anglo Indians

Woolmer speaking at a cricket dinner in Cape Town in December 1999

The Anglo Indian population in the city is estimated to be above 5,000. Though, a strong thriving community of the city before independence with population more than 1 lakh now they are only found in some pockets of the city. The All India Anglo Indian Association of the city has its headquarter near UKCA School or Sheiling House. Even though they have preserved their culture, many have mixed with local Christian population. Jamed Douglas Binge is the current chairman of AIAIA Kanpur and senior most Anglo Indian of the city. Bob Woolmer, an eminent cricket player belonged to an Anglo Indian family of the city.

See also

• Kanpur