India in Britain 2017

‘At the Heart of the Nation: India in Britain’

A photographic exhibition

The histories of Britain and India have long been interwoven. Embedded within this complex relationship are fascinating, yet forgotten, stories of how the historic Indian presence in Britain has shaped the island nation we know today.

‘At the Heart of the Nation: India in Britain’, to coincide with the 70^th anniversary of independence, will celebrate these unknown narratives through a stunning photographic exhibition. Shifting away from well-known accounts of post-independence India and the earlier period of the British Raj, the exhibition will focus on the ways in which Britain’s resident communities have, for centuries, played a crucial role in the formation of Britain. Highlighting these stories through a range of remarkable images, ‘At the Heart of the Nation’ draws belated attention to the wide-ranging contributions Indians have long made to Britain’s cultural, economic, intellectual, political and social life.

Based on the outdoor touring exhibition, the project team has launched a digital interactive photographic timeline. Please visit and explore this resource.

Based on two major Open University research projects, 'Making Britain' and 'Beyond the Frame', the exhibition launches in September 2017, and tours until November 2017. It will be showcased around the United Kingdom, in the cities of London, Edinburgh, and Leeds. The exhibition will be free and open to the public.

‘At the Heart of the Nation’ is led by the Open University, in collaboration with the Indian High Commission, the Nehru Centre, and the University of Exeter. It is researched and curated by project team Prof. Susheila Nasta, Dr. Maya Parmar (OU) and Dr. Florian Stadtler (Exeter).