Forgotten India at 80: The Stories You Don’t Know

This special display sheds light on the experiences of South Asian communities during the Second World War and its immediate aftermath.

The scale of the Second World War meant that Britain once again called upon soldiers and civilians from across the Empire. In India, as men were deployed overseas, women were encouraged to take up a range of roles to support the war effort.

After the conflict, and following the Partition of India in 1947, people from South Asia were recruited to support post-war reconstruction in Britain. Settling into communities across the country, they played a crucial role in rebuilding the nation after six long years of fighting.

This temporary display highlights unheard stories that showcase the determination, resilience and sacrifice of the South Asian men and women who made a vital contribution to the Allied cause during the Second World War and helped to rebuild Britain in its aftermath.

The display, and the research project behind it, have been generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.