Indian vs. British Indian

[Maira La]

I think we should make a distinction between these two terms. They cannot be used to refer to the same people.

The term British Indian is a White man assigned identity, much like American Indian. Whereas British Indian refers to natives of Ganges-Dravidian lands, American Indian refers to natives of the Americas.

The term Indian is the historical identity of people living along the Indus, especially in South-Eastern Pakistan.

Though these two terms are not interchangeable, most of the world has confused British Indians for Indians. Citizens of the Republic of India (British India) itself have deluded themselves to the extent that a man from Orissa, Jharkhand or Karnataka would believe he descends from ancient Punjabi warriors like Porus and not the natives of their own land.

It is understandable that British Indians would not want to identify as British Indian. After all it's a colonial identity. However the formation of British India itself is a result of colonial activities, so there is no escaping that identity. If they want an older identity maybe they could call themselves Mughaldeshis? Would like to hear some opinions of resident British Indians.

 

[tower9]

So… are you saying they are all wannabe punjabis?

 

[Menace2Society]

British Indians on the main are good folk. They are easy to get along with, I have many good friends.

However there are some who have become very racist to Pakistanis recently, must be the Modi effect. The more traditional they are the more prejudiced they become.

 

[Maira La]

So… are you saying they are all wannabe punjabis?

They are wannabe everything other than themselves. British Indians suffer from severe inferiority complex driven self-hate.

 

[AgnosticIndian]

They are wannabe everything other than themselves. British Indians suffer from severe inferiority complex driven self-hate.

man I suggest you spend some quality "you-time" in self reflection. the self-hatred and projection I see coming from you is quite saddening. cut off toxic racist people from your life who make you feel inferior for your ancestory.

 

[Maira La]

man I suggest you spend some quality "you-time" in self reflection. the self-hatred and projection I see coming from you is quite saddening. cut off toxic racist people from your life who make you feel inferior for your ancestory.

Don't shoot the messenger.
Being a British Indian you know what I am talking about.
You maintain a extremely racist caste system, and you want to associate yourselves with Whites, West Asians, Pakistanis and Afghans in whichever way you can, that includes revisionist fabricated history.

 

[AgnosticIndian]

Being a British Indian you know what I am talking about.

me? no, I'm no British or anything. just Indian.

You maintain a extremely racist caste system, and you want to associate yourselves with Whites, West Asians, Pakistanis and Afghans in whichever way you can, that includes revisionist fabricated history.

that's a weird statement. caste system might have had origins in migration and segregation of some groups, but no one significant claims it as anything meaningful racially, the population is quite mixed anyway for that. your perspective on how the average person thinks seems to be severely distorted either by your own biases or interaction with some significantaly deranged outlier. if you know anything about India, Central Asian or Afghan ancestry is not really something to be proud of for a casteist person. actual village casteists have a very localised view of caste pride, and ancestry is usually associated to mythical native ancestors. the rest of people who don't care about caste don't really care about race either. actual Indians with positive views on any foreign ancestry are extremely fringe.
but anyway, you seem to live in your own bubble. visit India or at least your home country Bangladesh to gleen locals' views on nationhood, caste and ancestry.

 

[Maira La]

that's a weird statement. caste system might have had origins in migration and segregation of some groups, but no one significant claims it as anything meaningful racially, the population is quite mixed anyway for that.

So you think the caste system and the associated genetic/racial separation that comes along with it is NOT MEANINGFUL, yeah? Go find a Brahmin family in your city and propose their daughter for marriage. I assure you the meaning of MEANINGFUL in your vocabulary will change forever.


Anyways back to topic, discussion is not about race and caste. It's about getting your identity right.

 

[Varunastra]

Wow jealous much about our identity? The same people wouldn't be crying as much about our identity if it didn't have such a positive image in the world.

 

[Maira La]

Wow jealous much about our identity? The same people wouldn't be crying as much about our identity if it didn't have such a positive image in the world.

Such a positive image? You have destroyed the word Indian basically. Since the world confuses British Indian for Indian, consequently everything that is British Indian, as in lack of hygiene, ugly people, cow cola consumption, throwing half burnt bodies in water etc. are now associated with Indian. You have done a terrible disservice to the stolen identity.

 

[Faqirze]

I think we should make a distinction between these two terms. They cannot be used to refer to the same people.

The term British Indian is a White man assigned identity, much like American Indian. Whereas British Indian refers to natives of Ganges-Dravidian lands, American Indian refers to natives of the Americas.

The term Indian is the historical identity of people living along the Indus, especially in South-Eastern Pakistan.

Though these two terms are not interchangeable, most of the world has confused British Indians for Indians. Citizens of the Republic of India (British India) itself have deluded themselves to the extent that a man from Orissa, Jharkhand or Karnataka would believe he descends from ancient Punjabi warriors like Porus and not the natives of their own land.

It is understandable that British Indians would not want to identify as British Indian. After all it's a colonial identity. However the formation of British India itself is a result of colonial activities, so there is no escaping that identity. If they want an older identity maybe they could call themselves Mughaldeshis? Would like to hear some opinions of resident British Indians.

Doesn't matter where they live, at the end of the day they are all lying scums and insecure rats who have a deep seated hatred for us. Even a majority of Indians over here still have that extremist mindset, best not to communicate with them. We are better then them

 

[Varunastra]

Such a positive image? You have destroyed the word Indian basically. Since the world confuses British Indian for Indian, consequently everything that is British Indian, as in lack of hygiene, ugly people, cow cola consumption, throwing half burnt bodies in water etc. are now associated with Indian. You have done a terrible disservice to the stolen identity.

Sure sure and you care because? The Indian identity was willingly given up by Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. A bangladeshi should have least interest in such topics. Maybe start a thread on bengal for once.

 

[Faqirze]

Wow jealous much about our identity? The same people wouldn't be crying as much about our identity if it didn't have such a positive image in the world.

This is the reason why we are annoyed by Indians in the first place, they are extremely arrogant and think they are better then everyone else. Take a look at the way your fellow countrymen act online (youtube, quora) and go figure. I kekd hard when you said you have a "positive" image around the world, its funny how you people live in such a bubble and act as if the whole world is jealous and admirant of you all. Most people outside of South Asia either don't think of Indians at all or view Indians lets just say in a rather negative way and I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings specifying them, I care about you and I would rather you stay blissfully ignorant.