>>507935052Pre-20th Century: In the UK, "Asian" generally referred to anyone from the continent of Asia, often with a focus on East Asians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese) or those from the broader "Orient," a term rooted in colonial and Orientalist frameworks. It was a vague, catch-all term for people from regions spanning East Asia to the Middle East, often used in academic, geographic, or colonial administrative contexts rather than as a common ethnic descriptor.
Colonial Context (19th–Early 20th Century): During the British Empire, "Asian" could describe subjects from various colonies, including India, but it wasn’t a primary identifier. People from the Indian subcontinent were more often referred to as "Indians" or by specific regional identities (e.g., "Bengalis," "Punjabis"). Middle Easterners, under Ottoman or Persian rule, were typically identified by nationality or religion (e.g., "Turks," "Persians," "Arabs") rather than as "Asians."
Limited Use for East Asians: In the early 20th century, "Asian" was more likely to evoke East Asians, particularly Chinese or Japanese communities in the UK, which were smaller but visible in port cities like London and Liverpool. This aligns with older Western tendencies to associate "Asia" with the "Far East."
Shift in the Mid-20th Century: The mass migration from South Asia after World War II, especially post-1948, redefined "Asian" in the UK to focus primarily on people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This marked a departure from the earlier, broader geographic usage, as "Asian" became a specific ethnic and cultural category in British society.
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