19/08/2025
The history of the Anglo-Indian community in Jharkhand is closely connected to a unique settlement called McCluskieganj, which was established in the 1930s as a homeland for Anglo-Indians.
Key Points About Anglo-Indians in Jharkhand:
McCluskieganj:
Founded in 1933 by Ernest Timothy McCluskie, an Anglo-Indian businessman from Kolkata, McCluskieganj is a small town located about 65 km from Ranchi. McCluskie envisioned it as a "homeland" or refuge for Anglo-Indians who sought to preserve their culture and identity amid the changing post-colonial landscape in India.
The land was leased from the Maharaja of Ratu in the Chotanagpur region.
Community and Culture:
At its peak, McCluskieganj housed around 400 Anglo-Indian families who built colonial-style bungalows, churches, schools, and community centers, embodying Western culture with traditions like ballroom dancing, hunting, and social clubs. It was often called "Mini London" because of its distinct Anglo-Indian lifestyle.
The community included people with British, Irish, Portuguese, and French ancestry.
Decline:
The lack of economic opportunities in McCluskieganj meant that many younger Anglo-Indians left for larger cities or emigrated abroad after Indian independence. By the 1970s, the number of Anglo-Indian families in the town had drastically reduced. Today, only a few Anglo-Indian families remain.
The town is now more known as a tourist destination, with old bungalows and structures standing as reminders of this unique history.
Cultural Harmony:
McCluskieganj is notable for its communal harmony, where a mosque, temple, church, and gurudwara exist close to each other, reflecting the diverse and inclusive nature of the town's heritage.
Political Representation:
The Anglo-Indian community in Jharkhand had reserved representation in the Jharkhand Assembly until recently, but this practice has ended now.
This history reflects the distinct identity and rich cultural legacy of the Anglo-Indian community in Jharkhand, centered mostly around McCluskieganj, which remains a symbol of their past and heritage in the region
