Sikhs in United Kingdom

According to Sikhism and also according to The Sikh Review magazine

Most of Britain's 500,000 Sikhs have their origins in immigration either from the Punjab in Northwest India in the 1950s and 60s, or from East Africa slightly later. The first recorded Sikh settler in Britain was Maharajah Duleep Singh.  Duleep Singh was the last ruler of the Sikh kingdom of Punjab.The Maharajah was dethroned after 6 years rule, and exiled to Britain in 1849 at the age of 14, after the Anglo-Sikh wars. There is a statue to the Maharajah at Butten Island, Thetford, Norfolk, near the Elveden Estate where he lived in Britain. The statue was unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 1999. Despite the early arrival of the Maharajah, the first Sikh Gurdwara (temple) was not established until 1911, at Putney in London.The first Sikh migration came in the 1950s. It was mostly of men from the Punjab seeking work in British industry, which had a shortage of unskilled labour. Most of the new arrivals worked in industries like foundries and textiles. These new arrivals mostly settled in London, Birmingham and West Yorkshire.The first batch of Sikh migrants usually removed the outward religious symbols (turban, hair and beard) as racist prejudice in Britain would have kept them out of work.

The first wave of Sikh immigrants to Britain were the soldier survivors of the World War I though most of them came afterwards from Punjab, after India became independent. They were followed by thousands of Sikhs from East Africa. They have done remarkably well in the last fifty years in many fields from farming and commerce to engineering, medicine and law. Today, among them are distinguished businessmen, lawyers, judges, doctors and software experts. An enterprising, resilient and industrious community, they have played a vital role in various professions, business and politics not only in India, but also in countries which they have made their home. Through hard work, perserverance and honesty, they have made a life for themselves and their families. In recognition of thier contribution to the British society, Prime Minister Tony Blair paid them a glowing tribute on the occasion of the 2003 Vaisakhi celebration in London. Mr. Blair said, "I know that British Sikhs have made a great contribution to the economic, cultural and political life of the United Kingdom, and I firmly believe that your faith and culture have brought tremendous strengths and benefits to our society. Prince Charles, the Pirnce of Wales praised the Sikh community for "having served this country with great loyalty for hundreds of years, adding to the rich tapestry in Britain." Never before had the British people known about the Sikhs. They are expected to know more about the dynamic, peace loving Sikhs, and thier faith which,according to the eminent historian, Prof. H.L. Bradshaw, is the "Faith of the New Age."