Daljeetbhutal at 20:14, 29 October 2025

2025-10-29T20:14:16Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
[[Kanpur]], India, is the most [[cosmopolitanism|cosmopolitan]] city in the state of Uttar Pradesh with vast number of ethnic groups and races.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VVxlfDHGTFYC&q=Kanpur+cosmopolitan&pg=PA399 | title=India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic| isbn=9780313374630| last1=Kaminsky| first1=Arnold P.| last2=Roger| first2=D. Long PH.D.| date=23 September 2011| publisher=Abc-Clio}}</ref> The city is mostly occupied by people from [[Uttar Pradesh]]. However, beside from Uttar Pradesh there are also people from other states and countries like-[[Punjabis]], Irish, [[Bengalis]], [[South Indians]], [[Anglo Indian]], [[Gujaratis]], [[Iraqi biradri|Iraqis]], [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[Roma People|Gypsies]], [[Parsis]] etc.

==Bengalis==
The Bengali diaspora communities in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]] and [[Jharkhand]] are mostly composed of [[Brahmins]] and some other upper castes of [[Brahminical Hinduism]]. Most of these moved to these places in the colonial period, starting as [[sepoys]] in the early nineteenth century and continuing as petty clerks in the administration, teachers and later, doctors, lawyers and officers in companies and businesses. Most of this stemmed from the "early adopter" advantage that the forward caste Bengalis had when it came to adopting Western education.

A big reason for Bengalis migrating to Kanpur is the fact that Bengal was the '''first Indian province''' that came under [[British rule]] and large swathes of Northern and Eastern India continued to be ruled from [[Calcutta]] for a long time. The cities of [[Benares|Varanasi]] and [[Allahabad|Prayagraj]] too were in the British empire since the early nineteenth century, and the cities of [[Agra]], Kanpur and [[Lucknow]] were added in 1836 to form the "North-Western Provinces". There is huge population of Bengalis in Bengali Mohal and Golaghat. [[Abhijeet Bhattacharya]], a popular singer of Bengali origin belongs to Kanpur.

==Punjabis==
[[File:PoonamDhillon04.jpg|right|thumb|Poonam Dhillon belongs to Punjabi family of the city]]
There was presence of Punjabis in Kanpur before independence. Majority of them indulged in industrial and trade activities. After 1947, thousands of [[Hindu]] and [[Sikh]] refugees arrived at Kanpur from [[Pakistan]]. Govind Nagar, Gumti No. 5 and Harjinder Nagar are important Sikh localities in the city. After [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], many [[Sikhs]] fled to [[Punjab]] and Delhi thus decreasing the population of [[Punjabis]]. [[Hindu]] Punjabi khatris are concentrated mainly all around the city with heavy population in Krishna Nagar and Shyam Nagar in the eastern part of city. Some [[Muslim Punjabi]] communities like [[Bisati]] and [[Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Delhi|Shamsi]] are also found in the city who are engage in the leather trade among other trades. The Punjabi Mahapanchayat was formed in the city in 2008 to protect and safeguard the rights of Punjabis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/2008/10/23/punjabi-mahapanchayat-set-up-in-kanpur-1224760138.html|title = Punjabi Mahapanchayat set up in Kanpur|date = 23 October 2008}}</ref> [[Prem Kumar Sahgal]], member of [[Azad Hind Fauj]] was resident of Kanpur. [[Hard Kaur]], a popular Hindi and English rap singer of Punjabi origin belongs to Kanpur. Actresses like [[Poonam Dhillon]] and [[Kritika Kamra]] also belong to the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kritika-Kamra-Kanpur-feels-like-home/articleshow/50044699.cms|title = Kritika Kamra: Kanpur feels like home – Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=5 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/others/Bwood-bonanza-for-Kanpur/articleshow/5014991.cms|title=B'wood bonanza for Kanpur – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 September 2009 }}</ref>

==Irish==

Many Irish were employed as clergymen and [[sepoys]] in [[British East India Company]]. Some of whom also died in various [[massacre]]s against British in India which included targeted attacks to [[white men]]. Today Irish people are negligible in population and live in various localities of the city. [[Hugh Wheeler (East India Company officer)|Hugh Wheeler]] who was general in British Army belonged to [[Anglo-Irish]] background. He died in the city during the massacre at [[Massacre Ghat]]. His descendants are still believed to be living in the city.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ygBDgAAQBAJ&q=Irish+Kanpur&pg=PT174 |title = Mutiny at the Margins: New Perspectives on the Indian Uprising of 1857: Documents of the Indian Uprising|isbn = 9789385985744|last1 = Bates|first1 = Crispin|last2 = Carter|first2 = Marina|date = 2 January 2017| publisher=SAGE Publications India }}</ref>

==Romanis==

Romanis started migrating to Kanpur from [[Rajasthan]] villages due to scarcity of water there. A group of romanis along with 6,000 sheep, 100 camels and 20 dogs settled in Sirhi Itara village which is in close proximity from the city.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/For-gypsies-movement-is-life-/articleshow/12900716.cms | title=For gypsies, movement is life | newspaper=The Times of India | date=15 May 2002 }}</ref>

==Gujaratis==

There are more than 250 Gujarati families with population roughly equal to around 3000. The Gujarati Samaj is the oldest and apex body of the community in the city. It was established 115 years back when Magan Lal Savla came to the city and set up his own business. The Savla family migrated about 10 decades ago and since has well established business in the city. Gujarat Bhawan situated at Nayaganj hold their important cultural and religious events every year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Gujaratis-in-city-celebrate-Navratri-with-traditional-spirit/articleshow/43969662.cms|title=Gujaratis in city celebrate 'Navratri' with traditional spirit | Kanpur News – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=October 2014 }}</ref>

==Portuguese==

In late 18th century there was a large population of Portuguese people in the city which included traders and businessmen. When the city was captured by [[British Raj|British forces]] most of the Portuguese left the city. The old [[Portuguese Cemetery, Kanpur|Portuguese graveyard]] or Kutchery Cemetery is situated at [[VIP Road, Kanpur|VIP Road]] where [[Archaeological Survey of India]]'s office is present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cse.iitk.ac.in/users/amit/bicycling/1103mar_kanpur-history/|title = Kanpur history tour (Bumpy trails bicycling)}}</ref> At present there is small population of Portuguese scattered across the city. [[Allan de Noronha]], president of All India Catholic Union is from the city and resides in the city. Brian Silas, a popular piano player and musician belongs to Kanpur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://briansilas.com/biography|title = Brian Silas, Biography, Khayyam instrumental, Salil Choudhary instrumental, O.P. Nayyar instrumental, S.D. Burman instrumental, Laxmi Kant Pyare Lal instrumental, Ravi instrumental, Madan Mohan instrumental}}</ref>

==Marathis==
[[File:Peshwa of Kanpur.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A portrait of [[Nana Sahib]] at the ''Peshwa Memorial'' atop [[Parvati Hill]] in [[Pune]], India]]
Kanpur is home to more than 2000 [[Marathi people|Marathi]] families.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Industrial-City-welcomes-Lord-Ganesha-with-festive-fervour/articleshow/16472990.cms|title = Industrial City welcomes Hindu god Ganesha with festive fervour | Kanpur News – Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> The approximate Marathi population in the city is around 20,000. The reason of the vast population of Marathis is because of the presence of [[Nana Sahib]], a Maratha freedom fighter who resided at [[Bithoor]] (about 25 km from Kanpur). Every year, the Marathi people celebrate [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], which is also celebrated with among the local [[Hindu]] population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://videos.oneindia.com/national-news/muslims-participate-in-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-with-great-enthusiasm-in-kanpur-97797.html|title = National News Videos – India Videos – Oneindia}}</ref> Maharashtra Bhawan, situated at Khalasi Lines, is an important Marathi cultural centre in the city. The building was vandalised in the year 2009 by angry [[Bihari people|Bihari]] mobs who were protesting the persecution of [[Biharis]] in Maharashtra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/maharashtra-building-attacked-in-kanpur/375940/|title = Maharashtra Building attacked in Kanpur – Indian Express}}</ref> [[Veena Sahasrabuddhe]], a noted [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani Classical]] vocalist was born in Kanpur in 1948.

==Parsis==
Once a strong community with population above 800, at present there are 35 Parsis in Kanpur with their Fire Temple at [[The Mall, Kanpur|The Mall]]. Most of the Parsis belong to Javeri family who came to the city as industrialists before independence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zoroastrians.net/2014/02/05/appeal-cawnpore-parsee-anjuman-kanpur/|title=Appeal – Cawnpore Parsee Anjuman, Kanpur – Parsis, Iranis, Zarathushtis – ALL Under One Roof|work=Parsis, Iranis, Zarathushtis – ALL Under One Roof|date=5 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/UPs-only-fire-temple-exists-in-city/articleshow/232001.cms|title=UP's only fire temple exists in city|work=The Times of India|date=14 October 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parsisinjhansi.com.au/Parsis.html |title=Parsis Page |website=www.parsisinjhansi.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913074224/http://www.parsisinjhansi.com.au/Parsis.html |archive-date=2009-09-13}}</ref>

==South Indians==
There is a small population of southern Indians who have settled permanently in Kanpur and are spread throughout the city. Southern Indians in Kanpur mostly belong to the [[Malayali]] and [[Tamils|Tamil]] ethnic/linguistic group and are mostly Hindu while a large segment are also Christian. They migrated to the city mainly for jobs opportunities and educational purposes. [[Lakshmi Swaminathan]], freedom fighter and member of [[Azad Hind Fauj]] was of Malayali decent settled in the city.

==Sindhis==
In 1951 there were 9000 Sindhi people of [[Pakistani]] ancestry in Kanpur.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HFVNAAAAYAAJ&q=Anglo+Indian+population+Kanpur |title = Census of India, 1951|last1 = Census Commissioner|first1 = India|year = 1953}}</ref> Today there are about 1.5 lakh people of the Sindhi community in the city most of them merchants and businessman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/Sindhi-community-to-boycott-Joshi-in-Kanpur/articleshow/34170120.cms|title=Sindhi community to boycott Joshi in Kanpur – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 April 2014 }}</ref> They migrated to the city during partition in 1947. There is large community of them in Sindhi Colony in Shastri Nagar locality of the city. Laxman Das Rupani, owner of Rupani Footwear and a prominent industrialist and social worker of the city belongs to Sindhi family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/news/Sindhi-community-to-boycott-Joshi-in-Kanpur/articleshow/34170120.cms|title=Sindhi community to boycott Joshi in Kanpur|work=The Times of India|date=25 April 2014 }}</ref>

==Iraqis==
[[Iraqi biradri]] is a community of Sunni [[Muslims]] from eastern Uttar Pradesh where the community has a historic Iraqi origin, believed to have come to Ghazipur, India, in the 14th century from Iraq.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Nevill |editor1-first=H. R. |title=Ghazipur: A Gazetteer, Being Volume XXIX of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh |date=1909 |publisher=Government Press |location=Allahabad |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.2954 |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>{{rp|157, 158}}
<ref>Ballia – A Gazetteer (1907) by Nevill, H.R.
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47988/page/n91</ref><ref>Iraqis, Trade under ‘Gorakhpur’ by North-Western Provinces (India)1874 Allahabad {{cite web|title=Statistical, descriptive and historical account of the North-western Provinces of India| year=1874| pages=512–13|url=https://archive.org/details/statisticaldesc01unkngoog/page/n252}}</ref> Some members moved to the city earlier in the colonial times. As time progressed they have majority population in [[Jajmau]] area of the city where leather [[tanneries]] are concentrated in large amount. Presently the population in Kanpur is estimated to be above 30 thousand or so. Most of the community members speak Urdu, and Bhojpuri and maintain a strong affiliation with their eastern UP roots with many still having ancestral houses in the Bhojpuri belt of UP.
About 80% of the tanneries are owned by members of the Iraqi Biradri who are possibly responsible provide employment to over 250,000 people. An Iraqi Biradri Market in [[Becon Ganj|Baconganj]] is among the most popular markets in the city. [[Ghazala Lari]], a politician and [[Mushir Alam |Mushir-Riaz]], film producers and [[Alhaj Minnatullah]], Indian businessman belong to the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Polls-apart-Splitsville-post-result/articleshow/12241950.cms|title=Polls apart: Splitsville post result |work=The Times of India |date=13 March 2012 |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 2019 |title=Film producer Mushir Alam buried in city |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/film-producer-mushir-alam-buried-in-city/articleshow/68102656.cms |access-date=2023-07-20 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Anglo Indians==
[[File:Bob Woolmer 1999.jpg|thumb|right|Woolmer speaking at a cricket dinner in Cape Town in December 1999]]
The Anglo Indian population in the city is estimated to be above 5,000. Though, a strong thriving community of the city before independence with population more than 10,000, now they are only found in some pockets of the city like [[McRobertganj]], Khalasi Lines, Maxwellganj, [[Green Park Stadium|Green Park]], [[Kanpur Cantonment|Cantonment]], Allenganj, Swaroop Nagar, Permat, Gwaltoli, Nawabganj and Arya Nagar. The All India Anglo Indian Association of the city has its headquarter near UKCA School or Sheiling House. Even though they have preserved their culture, many have mixed with local Christian population. Jamed Douglas Binge is the current chairman of AIAIA Kanpur and senior most Anglo Indian of the city. [[Bob Woolmer]], an eminent cricket player belonged to an Anglo Indian family of the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i-never-thought-of-leaving-kanpur/articleshow/381196.cms|title=I never thought of leaving Kanpur|work=The Times of India|date=24 December 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/all-i-want-for-christmas/|title=All I Want for Christmas|date=25 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://3basons.blogspot.in/2009/11/kanpur-home-again.html?m=1|title = 3 B's out and about: Kanpur home again|date = 6 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/research/post-1947-the-mixed-fortunes-of-the-mixed-race-anglo-indians-4780404/|title=Post-1947, the mixed fortunes of the mixed race Anglo-Indians|date=3 August 2017}}</ref> [[Charles Allen (writer)|Charles Allen]], a British freelance writer and a popular historian belongs to Kanpur and often refers to himself as 'Kanpurwala'.

==See also==
*[[Kanpur]]
*[[List of people from Kanpur]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Demographics of India]]
[[Category:Kanpur]]

Ethnic communities in Kanpur - Revision history

Daljeetbhutal at 20:14, 29 October 2025