Trace and Tell your Family's Empire Stories
Introduction
Chris Bisson is an actor who has appeared in successful television shows such as 'Shameless', 'Coronation Street' and 'East is East'.
Although he looks Asian and has played Asian shopkeepers and shopkeepers' sons, Chris doesn't see himself as Asian. Born in Manchester in 1975, his mother Sheila is white while his father Mickey was born in Trinidad and is ethnically Indian.
Although the family's roots are in India, over the last century the British Empire has had such a dramatic impact on their lives that they have lost all connection with the country.
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Chris's family's history is also shaped by British attitudes following, the Indian War of Independence, also known as the Indian Rebellion, of 1857. Hindu and Muslim soldiers (sometimes known as 'sepoys'), serving together under British officers in the East India Company Army, united in opposition to their rulers. This led to an uprising that lasted 18 months and which the British would have lost, were it not for their technological advantages.
Britain's confidence in India was shaken. From that time the British adopted a policy of 'Divide et Impera' (Divide and Rule) which they instituted wherever they went. In India this took the form of ruthless suppression of dissent, the imposition of direct colonial rule over much of the subcontinent and the partition of the province of Bengal.
In the Caribbean, the replacement of Afro-Trinidadian slave labour with Indian indentured labour brought with it resentment and racial tension. However, a divided population was easier to rule here too, and the importation of indentured labour continued.
Time: 15:54 Date: Jul 24, 2007
I saw the program last night- it was quite moving.My great grandfather was one of three sons.He became a Christain to work inthe Canadain Mission Indian schools in Trinidad. My grandfather was an Indian gentleman, who spoke and dressed like an Englishman! marvellous! It was a joy to see the journey on TV. Hope you liked the doubles!
By chrishosein