The Anglicization of Indian Names: The Erasure of Cultural Identity

Words by Shreya Sharma

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In the 1920s, travel posters, made for steamship lines and airlines, became extremely popular. The style changed notably in the 1920s, to focus attention on the product being advertised. The images became simpler, precise, more linear, more dynamic, and were often placed against a single color background. They conveyed a sense of power and safety – basically, what travellers were supposed to feel boarding liners and trains and visiting new destinations. (Available as print)

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The Anglicization of Indian Names: The Erasure of Cultural Identity

Indian immigrant children taking English classes in Britain in 1962

The British colonial rule in India brought with it more than just political control and economic exploitation; it ushered in a cultural transformation that had profound implications on the identity and narrative of the Indian population. One of the subtle yet significant tools of this transformation was the anglicization of Indian names, a practice that was prevalent among British officials dealing with Indian servants and the broader population. This seemingly innocuous act was not just about convenience or ease of pronunciation; it was a deliberate mechanism that facilitated the erasure of indigenous identities and removed large sections of the population from mainstream narratives.

The British colonial officials often found Indian names difficult to pronounce and remember. To overcome this, they would simplify, shorten, or entirely change the names of Indian servants, clerks, and other locals they interacted with regularly. This practice extended beyond individuals to encompass towns, landmarks, and even religious and cultural practices, which were given anglicized names to suit the colonial tongue. For example, a common Hindi name like ‘Ravindra’ would become ‘Rob’ or ‘Robbie’ and ‘Narender’ could become ‘Nate’. Similarly, cities like Kolkata became Calcutta, and Thiruvananthapuram was anglicized to Trivandrum. This practice of renaming was not only a way to assert dominance over the subjugated population but also served a practical purpose for the colonial administration, making communication and record-keeping easier for the British, who were often unfamiliar with the local languages and dialects. Indigenous voices and perspectives were either excluded or misrepresented, and the anglicized versions of names and places became the accepted standard. This exclusion from mainstream narratives had a lasting impact, creating gaps and silences in the historical record.