British Empire Title

The British Empire and its effect on Plymouth

Indian Ayah on the Hoe


This is an interesting picture taken on Windsor Terrace (now Citadel Road) on Plymouth Hoe. It was taken c1900 by Rugg Monk. It shows an Indian Ayah accompanying children and possibly other nursemaids or her employer's family members having a nice day out. Often families that had lived and worked in India brought back their servants when they returned to Britain as can be seen here.


Motor Car in Mannamead


This photograph is purportedly from probably just before the war in an Adler. It shows someone who obviously had strong connections to the Indian sub-continent sitting in his car in Mannamead in Plymouth. Apart from the pith helmet, if you look carefully you can see an Indian servant to his right. It was not unusual for Indian servants to travel with their employers to and from the sub-continent and even sometimes into retirement making a lasting commitment to serve many thousands of miles from home.


Empire in Your Backyard: Plymouth Article
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