Asian immigration to Britain in the 1950s was part of the broader post-war migration wave. Many immigrants came from South Asia, including India, Pakistan and East Bengal (later Bangladesh), often seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing political upheaval after the Partition of India in 1947. Others arrived from East African countries like Kenya and Uganda, where they had lived as part of the British colonial diaspora but faced increasing restrictions under local governments.

Most Asian immigrants settled in industrial cities such as Leicester, Bradford, Birmingham and Manchester, where factory jobs were abundant. Housing was often basic and clustered in areas with affordable, often run-down, terraced homes. Despite facing significant social and racial challenges, these communities established strong networks and played a key role in rebuilding Britain’s economy.

Britain in the 1950s: archive photos show what UK homes really looked like