Anglo Indians in Kerala

THE UNION OF ANGLO-LNDIAN ASSOCIATIONS YESTERDAY & TODAY Charles Dias M.P

2013-08-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Eurasian community in Kerala is having a history of 500 years. Ever since the first Europeans landed in Kerala at the fag end of 15th century and they started to marry native women, the struggle to survive as a separate ethenic group had began. After the Portuguese, Dutch, French and English occupations in the country, the community of the descendants of Europeans were named Anglo--lndians by Govt. of India by the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. Through various organizations they kept their unity and identity. It was the Union of Anglo-lndian associations in Kerala that helped the European descendents to maintain their culture and identity.

Following is a brief history of the Anglo-lndian organisations in the recent past.

Anglo-lndian Associations existed in different parts of Kerala even before the formation of the Union of Anglo-lndian associations. But there was no co-ordination among them especially because the members of the community were residing in three different political areas viz. British Malabar, Cochin and Travancore States.

Late Chev; C. Paul Luiz K.S.G.G. was the pioneer in organizing the community He convened a meeting of the leaders of the Anglo-lndian community at Perumanoor on 11th March 1922 which led to the formation of the first association with himself as President and late Prof S. E Nunez as Secretary. The association however did not live long. But it did have its impact. Chev. Luiz could get Prof. Nunez nominated to the first Legislative Council of Cochin State to represent the community. He could also get sanction to run an Industrial School for poor Anglo-lndian boys and girls.

On New Year Day 1933, a reading room was inaugurated at Mulavucad on the initiative of late Mr.John D'Silva. The same day next year the members of the reading room formed themselves into an Anglo- Indian Association. Mr. B. A. Hernandez, a retired Sub. Registrar of Travancore State Service has settled down in Mulavucad early in 1934. He put his heart and soul in organizing the community in the different part of the State. As a result of his efforts, the South Malabar Anglo-Indian Association was inaugurated on Sunday 30th December 1934 at Vallarpadam at a colourful function of the representatives of the various associations. Mr. C.J. Luiz was elected its Director, and Mr. L.Lopez its General Secretary.

With the sudden demise of Mr. B. A. Fernandez on his way to Vellankanni in June 1936, the South Malabar Anglo-lndian Association become defunct. In 1939 Mr. Joseph Pinheiro, who was then Headmaster of St. Mary's High School, Alwaye came forward to give leadership to the community. Mr.Pinheiro rechristened the South Malabar Anglo-lndian Association, as the Federated Anglo-lndian Association at a meeting at Vallarpad|m on sunday 5th November 1939. Mr. Pinheiro was elected its President & Treasurer, Mr. L. Lopez its Vice President, Mr. Stephen Padua its General Secretary & Mr. Joseph Furtal its Jt. Secretary. Under Mt. Pinheiro's leadership, young men of the community visited their brethren in villages carrying the message of unity and progress and formed associations in several localities. There was a general awakening in the community.

In the meanwhile, Sir Henry Gidney, the then President-in-chief of the All-lndia Anglo- Indian Association, New Delhi visited Ernakulam and Fort Cochin in 1936 and established branches of the All India Anglo-lndian Association. At a meeting of the community held at Maharaja's College Hall, Ernakulam presided over by Sir R. K. Shanmugham Chetty, then Diwan of Cochin, a branch of the All India Anglo - indian Association was started with Mr.C. J. Luiz as its president. At Fort Cochin Mrs. L. G.Bernard was elected President of the branch established there. It is reported that during his speech, Sir Henry Gidney said that when he visited the Middle East, the Arabs called him a Feringi. Addressing the sophisticated members of the community sitting before him, he said “when we sit here, l know that some of our poor brethren after their day's toil will be walking through the streets in dhotis.'' Sir Gidney, was indeed a true leader who wanted to bring up the entire community especially the down-trodden and poor sections. He never wanted to discard and disown them, merely because they were poor or unlettered. Mr. C. J.Luiz was nominated to the Legislative Council of the state to represent the Anglo-lndian community shortly thereafter. He fought for retaining the individuality of the community.

In 1940 Sir Henry Gidney passed away. Mr.Frank Antony succeeded him. The Ernakulam branch of the A11 india Association had voted in favour of Mr.Frank Anthony, In 1944 Mr. Anthony visited Ernakulam. He was given a very warm reception. He was all praise for the Anglo-indians of the State at that time.

In 1945 Mr. Stanley Luiz succeeded Mr. C. J.Luiz as President of the Al1 india Anglo-lndian Association. Mr. J. Pinheiro was elected Vice President and Mr. J. L. Liveriro General Secretary. Subsequently Mr. Liveriro resigned & Mr. J. L. Fernandez was elected General Secretary. Soon after Mr. Stanly Lutz was nominated to the Cochin Legislative Council on the recommendation of the association to represent the community A new era in the history of the community dawned. The Government was pleased to grant sanction to the community to run a dozen primary schools, and to sanction half-fee concession and a few scholarships to the students of the communistic schools and colleges. The Central Board of A. 1. Education was founded to manage those schools. .In 1946 the Federated Anglo- Indian Association with all its branch associations was amalgamated with the branch of the All India Association, New Delhi, with 14 branches. The integration of Cochin and Travancore States took place in 1949. The need for an independent association for the Anglo-indians in the state began to be keenly felt. The All-lndia Association revised its rates of subscription for the members without considering their financial position. They also wanted 40% of the collections on account of subscriptions as branch contribution to the centre. Besides the All-lndia Association did not take any steps to solve the problems of the community in the state especially as regards education and employment. They were even opposed to availing of the provisions in the Constitution enabling concessions for education of reservations in appointments in the State services. Hence the leaders in the state met and decided to break away from the All-lndia Association and form an independent: association for the community if the State.

With this object in view, Mr. Earnest E Nigli a retired official of the Travancorq Excise Department and a journalist, was deputed as a roving ambassador to contact and negotiate with the other existing associations in Travancore, Cochin and Malabar areas. At that time, Circle Associations of the Anglo-lndian and Domiciled European Association of South india were functioning in Munnar, Aleppey and Fort Cochin.A convention of the leaders of ail the existing associations in Travancore-cochin State took place at Perumanoor on 14th October 1951 and resolved to form the Union of Anglo - indian Associations. Mr. Stanley Luiz was elected its President-in-chiel Mr. F Nigli, Mr. Vincent Fernandez & Mr. J. L. Fernandez, as its General Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer respectively. M/s. J. Pinheiro (Alwaye), R. H. Pinto (Alleppey) and B. J. D'Couto (Munnar) were elected Vice Presidents. Mr. Nigli fell sick and passed away shortly. His vacancy was filled up by Mr. J. L. Fernandez, and in his place Mr. Antony D'Cunha Fas elected as the treasurer. It was Mr. E. E Nigli who spotted the site of the present Vengola Colony and did all the spade work to secure it from the Government.

Mr. A. A. D. Luiz played a very dominant role in the formation of the Union. It was he who drafted its constitution and got it registered on 1-9-1953 as No. 9/53 under the Literary, Scientific acct Chartitable Societies Act.

The following were the signatories to the Memorandum and Articles of Association in respect of the Union of Anglo - indian Associations.

1.Mr. Stanley P. Luiz
2.Mr. Vincent Fernandez
3.Mr. Antony D'Cunha
4.Mr. Joseph Jose Pereira
5.Mr. Stephen Padua
6.Mr. Joseph D'Silva
7.Mr. John D'Silva
8.Mr. Mathew D'Coutho
9.Mr. George D'Costa
10. Mr. Manuel Figurado
l 1. Mr. A. A. D. Luiz
12. Mr. Martin Pinheiro
13. Mr. Francis Severance
14. Mr. Richard C. Fernandez
15. Mr. Joseph A. Pinheiro
16. Mr. Leon Rodrigues
17. Mr. L. M. Ferreira
After the registration of the Union in 1953, Mr. S. P. Luiz was re-elected as its President-in-chief, Mr. Stephen Padua, General Secretary and Mr. Antony D'Cunha Treasurer.

In the meanwhile, Mr. A. A. D. Luiz was nominated to the Travancore - Cochin Legislative Assembly to represent the community from a panel of names submitted by the Union. He was sworn in on 24th larch 1952. There were a series of noteworthy achievements for the Union and the community while Mr. A. A. D. Luiz was the nominated M. L. A. The community was declared backward for the purpose of education and employment under Article 16/4 of the constitution which brought about the facility of free education to Angio indian students in schools and colleges and reservation for purposes of appointments in the Public Service of the State. Seats were also reserved in the Medical and Engineering Colleges to the students of the Anglo - indian community. In Vengola village, 198 acres of land were secured on 17th June 1953 from the Govemmeat for an Anglo - Indian Colony. The Vengola Cc-operative Colony Soceity Ltd., No. 5 was also organised. Besides, associations were started by his efforts in Trivandrum, Quilon, Kayamkulam, Clappana, Palluruthy, Thevara, Arrepalam and Kalamassery. Through to: initiative of Mr. A. A. D. Luiz, .the Union was also federated with the Anglo – Indian and Domiciled European Association of South India, Madras.

The Government of India was also pleased to recognise the Anglo - Indian community in the state as one among the Other Backward Communities. Hence the Anglo - Indian students in the State become eligible for the scholarships granted by the Government of India. A number of our students received such scholarships.

The Community Certificate issued by the Union ,i F.-! accepted and recognised by the Government. Crown nam all Mr. Luiz donated 25 cents of land to the Union a-; the Central Board of Anglo - indian Education a entry. Through his efforts, two lzzenlbers were germinated to the lntet State Board for Anglo – Indian Education, New Delhi by the Government of the State.

Janata Cc-operative Housing Societies were started and got registered by hlm in Trivandrum, Quilon, Alleppey and Chathiath. The Janatha Cs-operative Housing Society at Alleppey with its 14 houses is a standing monument to his efforts. Mr. A. A. D. Luiz was nominated to the Legislative Assemply for a second term also in 1954.

A discordant note in the otherwise smooth functioning of the Union of the office was struck when the election governing body held on 26th December 19|4 happened to be challenged in the court of law at the instance of a section of members. Thank God it was only a passing phase. The rift was immediately patched up through the intervention of V Rev. Fr. Aurelain of happy memory. An agreed solution was worked out. A fresh election was conducted on consent on 9.4.1956 at which Mr. B. J. D'Couto was elected Prestd|nt-inchief. Mr. L. Lopez General Secretary and Mr. Pascal D'Silva Treasurer.

.The question of nomination of the community's representative to the Legislative Assembly came up at that time and a panel of 7 names was sent up to the Government by the Union and Mr. C. E Pereira of Cannanore was nominated to the State Assembly by the Governor on 19-2.-1960 from the panel. Mr. C. E Pereira was responsible for getting nearly .3 acres of land for the Janatha Colonyin Chathiath. He also obtained sanction for the English Medium Classes in C. C. P.L.M.A.I.U.P. SchooL, Perumanoor which is now a High School with parallel classes in English and Malayalam media.

The sixth annual general meeting of the Union was held on 16th December 1961 at Perumanoor. Mr.A, A. D. Luiz was ejected President-in-chief Mr. Manuel Oliver, General Secretary and Mr. Antony D'Cunha treasurer.

The Union and the Anglo-lndian community sustained a great and irreparable loss in the sad and sudden demise of Mr. A. A. D. Luiz, a pillar of strength to the Cotnlzlunity, on 26th December 1962. A largely attended public meeting was held on 6th January 1963 under the presidentship of the then District Collector Shri P P Gopalan Nair when the very valuable services of late Mr. Luiz were eulogized. M/s. M. K. Raghavan, then chairman, Mattancherl'y Municipal Council & Dr.( Henry Austin were the Principal spea ars of the day.Mr. C. F. Pereira was authorized by the Governing Committee to be the acting President-in-chief till the next annual general meeting.

The seventh annual general body meeting of the Union was held on Sunday 1st September 1963 at Perumanoor with Mr. C. E Pereira M. L. A. in the chair.Mr. R. C. Fernandez of Trivandrum was elected President-in-chief, Mr. T R. Faria of Quilon General Secretary and Mr. R. G. Dias Treasurer. The most important event during their period of office was the starting of the Education Fund for the benefit of poor but intelligent students in the cornmunit'y. The Fund was inaugurated at the well-attended meeting of to: community at the Don Bosco School, Ernakulam on 5th April 1964 by Justice Mr. The C. Raghavan, Mr. S. S.Koder presided over the meeting. On Jlstlanual'y 1965, the eighth annual general meeting of the Union was held at Perufnanoor when Mrs. Elsie D'Souza was elected President-in-chief, Mr. R. G. Dias GeneralSecretary and Mr. Peter Correya Treasurer. TheGoverning Committee brought out a journal under the name dt-fhe Anglo - indian Journal'' in February 1965.Mr. R. G. Dias was the editor of the journal. One more issue of the journal came out in August 1965. A deputation from the Union consisting of Mrs. ElsieD'Souza and M/s. R. G. Dias, David Rodrigues andVincent Fernandez met the members of the Kumara Pillai Commission at Ernakulam. This was followed by another deputation to Trivandrum. An extra ordinary general meeting of the Union was convened on Sunday 5th August 1967 to discuss about the panel of names 2.to V submitted to the Government for nomination to the Legislative Assembly to be formed shortly. The meeting decided to include the following 5 names in to: panel. (1) Mrs. Elsie D'Souza, (2) Mr. R. G. Dias,(3) Mr. Vincent Hernandez, (4) Mr. R. Moris and (5)Mr. Peter Correya. However the choice happened to be not from panel. Mr. S. 172 Luiz was nominated on the advice of the E.M.s.Ministry at that time. Though a departures was made from the practice of honouring the Union's panel, the decision was not something which merited the Union's protest, Mr. Luiz being a member of the Union and an outstanding leader of the community. The governing committee immediately met and hailed the nomination assuring all suport and no-operation. It was during his tenure that the much lamented injustice to the community was done by the d his reserve 6.Kumara Pillai Commission. Mr. Luiz ma e pif the Assembly felt by his forceful and forthright attack ort the University Bill introduced by the Government, defending the cause of Private Management.

Mr. Stephen Padua was nominated by the Governor as the Anglo - indian M.L.A. in 1970. As a mark of joy and happiness over the nomination of Mr. Padua a grand and colourful reception was accorded to him in the Town Hall, at Ernakulam.

Mr. Stephen Padua M.L.A. was unanimously elected President-in-chief of the Union at the 13th Annual general meeting held on Sunday 7th May 1972. M/s. Mannuel Oliver and Antony D'Cunha were elected General Secretary and Treasurer respectively at the meeting. The 14th and 15th Annual General Body meeting held on 30th September 1971, and 1 1th May 1975 respectively re-elected the same persons as President-in-chief, General Secretary, and Treasurer.But the 16th Annual General Body meeting held on 28th November 1976 elected Mr. E C. Lewis as General Secretary with the same President-in-chief and Treasurer. Mr. Manual Oliver was elected as General Secretary again at the 17th Annual General Body Meeting held on 5th March 1978 with no change in the other office bearers.

Many and varied were the achievements of the Union after 1970, ever since Mr. Stephen Padua assumed the leader-ship of the community. It was made possible by the cs-operation and assistance rendered to him by a team of devoted and dedicated colleagues.

1. First and foremost among them was that the Union was converted into a very active organization and as an instrument of service to the community.

2.Several new associations were formed bringing the total number of member associations of the Union to 36, besides revival and revitalization of defunct associations.

3. The All Kerala Anglo - Indian Youth Movement was formed with 22 branches. Ladies' Wings were f It five started as an adjunct to most o t e ac associations.

4.The financial position of the Union was strengthened by conducting benefit shows, collecting donations, life membership fees and publishing Souvenir.

5.Endowments were created to award scholarship to students undergoing professional courses and technical training. 6. Relentless and continuous fight was waged to mitigate the injustice done by truth the Kumara Pillai & Nettoor Commissions. Consequently one seat was reserved for Anglo - Indian students for medicine in the state. The unrealistic clubbing of the community with S.I.U.C. was done away with and the community was rightly clubbed with Latin Catholics with a 4 percent total reservation.

7.The free fee education enjoyed by the Anglo - indian students of Travancore - Cochin area was extended to those in Malabar area from 1972 onwards. This was pending from 1956.

8. A new set of rules were framed for the Anglo - Indian High Schools in the state, as a result of which the facility of free education was extended to Anglo - indian students in Anglo - Indian High Schools subject to income limit. The new set of rules also recognized purity of service conditions for the teachers in Anglo - Indian schools as those in other schools.

9. The long awaited assignment of land to the members of tile Vengola Colony was sanctioned.This matter was pending since 1952.

10. Members of the community were elected to the senates of the Kerala and Cochin Universities. Members of the community were also appointed in the judicial service of the state.

11.The community could get the sympathy and good will (of the Government and the different sections of people in the State and began to be respected as a well organised and ' united minority community.

12.Two of the Lower Primary Schools run by the Central Board of Anglo - italian Education have been raised into Upper Primary Schools.

13. The union could also get the no-operation of the Anglo - Indian priests who have donated generously towards the creation of an Education Endowment.

14. The Constitution of the Union was suitably amended at an extra ordinary General Body Meeting of the Union held on 6th August 1979 to provide for representation in it to the office bearers of the youth movement and Ladies' Wings.

15. The Union became a part of the Anglo - Indian United Front in 1972 comprising the A. 1.Associations in Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

16. The Union resolved to affiliate itself with the national Anglo - indian Democratic Association (NAIDA) , New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Mr. Rudolph Rodrigues M. P.

17. The Union celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1978 on a grand scale.

18. Silver Jubilee of the Anglo-lndian EducationFund was celebrated in 1990.

19. Formed the National Forum of Anglo-lndian Associations to co-oridnate various Anglo-lndian Associations in India, in 1992.

FEE CONCESSIONS;
I EDUCATION AND JOB RESERVATIONS
Now, the students of Anglo -' inflow community - in Kerala enjoyfee concessions upto post-graduate level 'f b t to income-limit) by the efforts of the Union (su jec 1 f Anglo - Indian Associations.

The Anglo Indian students 'have seat The ng o - n f reservations in professional courses like Medicine, Engineering, B. D. S. Agriculture / Veternery, Engineering Diploma, B. Phafm, B. Sc. MLS B.. Sc.

Nursing ( 1 seat each) and in all Govt. l.'tS 1 seat a each by the efforts of the Union and the nominated - M.L.A,s M/s. Stephen Padua and David Pinheiro.

Anglo - Indians are clubbed with Latin t Catholics and given 4%. reservations in Govt. jobs by ' the efforts of the Union. In all India level Anglo - Indians from Kerala are given job reservations along with O B Cs as per Mandal Commission findings by E he efforts of the Union.

Mr Stephen Padua took the reins of the ' Central Board of Anglo - Indian Education in 1990 as Chairman. He took effective steps to make the administration of the Board more systematic and secured orders from the govt. to convert the Malayalam . medium classes in some of our schools to english medium. This saved tie schools from the threat of closure.

Mr. Padua took initiative together with this writer in the format-ion of the INDO - PORTUGUESE CULTURAL INSTITUTE in 1989, to promote tike culture of the Portuguese descendants and the teaming of Portuguese language.

It was by the effort of Mr. Padua and the Union. the NATIONAL FORUM OF ANGLO – INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS was formed with the so-operation of the Anglo - Indian leaders of other States especially from Tamilnadu, Kamataka and Andhra Predesh. This organization, with headquarters in Madras (cheetah) has opened a common plat-forum for Anglo - indian organization in the country to assemble and discuss the matters of interest to the community.

The Silver Jubilee of the ANGLO – INDIAN EDUCATION FUND was celebrated in a grand manner at Emakulam in 1990. On this context, the service, rendered by Mrs. Elsie D'souza as President of the Fund has to be remembered with gratitude. She continued to be the President of the Fund till her death in 1999.

The death of Mr. Stephen Padua on' 28th Oct.1994 was a hear blow to the Union. The interim a r r a n g e m e n t a f t e r h i s d e a t h t o l o o k a f t e r t h e administration of the Union and the Board led to chaos. -4 row of litigation was followed; the persons in power wanted to cling on and another group fought to restore democracy. Elections were held under the supervision of courts and democracy was re-stored in the Union in 1997 and in the Board in 2000.

The new committees worked systematically and vigorously. In 2001, 2. of our L. 1.| schools at Vaduthala and Edacochin were up-graded into U. 1| schools end the U 12 school at fondle pug up-graded to High School by the help of Mr. John Fernandez M.L.A. This High School secured 100% pass in the first SSLC batch in 2004.

The period during 2001-2003 was remarkable in the history of the Union and the Board. New school buildings were constructed by the Board from the funds raised and from the MPLAD scheme of Dr. Mfs. Beatrix D'souza (Anglo - indian nominated M.l?) lands were purchased for the schools, financial assistance were provided to Anglo - Indian Associations to secure land for their office-buildings.

THE ANGLO - INDIAN EDUCATION FUND became more effective with the effort of a number of persons came forward to work. for the Fund arid the total endowments reached Rupees 8 lakhs.

The Union observed FOUNDATION DAY on 14th October 2001, to mark the formation of the Union 50 years ago and honored Mr. Vincent Fernandex, the one and only surviving founder office-bearer and the near relatives of the founding members.

The GOLDEN JUBILEE celebrations of the Union was held on 29th and 30th November 2003 at Infant Jesus Pariah Hall, Ernakulam in a grand and colourful manner. On 29th November the Thanksgiving Services in Latin was led by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr.John Thattunkal, Bishop of Cochin and on 30th November the colourful concluding functions were attended by a row of dignitaries. These two days are memorable in the history of the Union, as thousands of members of the community from all over the State assembled at Ernakulam with great joy and enthusiasm and participated in the grand, colourful functions.

Zealous Catholics

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Almost all the Anglo Indians of Kerala are Zealous Catholics of Latin rite. They are very much devoted to their religion, church and priests. They do not lag behind in contributing to the Church and church controlled institutions. They also take pride in celebrating feasts in the church ceremoniously and with splendor. The tradition of building chapels, shrines and churches is being followed without break by their successive generations. In consideration of their significant services to the church, two of their prominent members namely, M/s. C. Paul Luiz and C. Joseph Luiz were awarded papal knighthood. The Community had also from among them in the past two bishops; Rev. Dr. Raphael Figurado and Rev.Dr. Lawrence Pereira.

Organizations

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Realising the deplorable conditions existing in the community, attempts were initiated as early as in 1924 to start organizations for their amelioration. Associations were started in most of the places where they were in good numbers. The Union of Anglo-Indian Associations Kerala State is the representative organization with 37 member associations that function from Trivandrum to Cannanore. The state organization was a part of the All India Anglo Indian Association under the leadership of Mr. Frank Anthony M.P till it broke away in 1952. the Union of Anglo Indian Associations had a record of significant achievements for the community. Most of the Anglo Indian representatives in the State Legislative Assembly have been its nominees. The community was got declared backward for purpose of education and appointments. It secured educational concessions and reservation of appointments in the Public Services for the members of the community. But before the community could come up, the recommendations of the Kumara Pillai Commission and of the Nettoor Commission have blocked their way. The community is very much aggrieved that the reports of these two commissions were quite against facts and based merely on the false surmises and inaccurate data. Those two commissions have almost closed the doors of higher and technical education as well as of appointments in the public services against the community. The Government in fairness and justice have to set right this grave injustice and have to protect and promote the interests of this minority community.

The Central Board of Anglo Indian Associations, is now running two High Schools, and nine primary schools with about 4000 pupils and 300 teachers belonging to different castes and creeds. The Anglo-Indian Youths and Ladies too have their own organizations.

Their Decline.

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Unlike those in other parts of India, Anglo-“Indians in Kerala are an urban as well as a rural population. Most of the villages to where they emigrated after the surrender of the Portuguese were places which had conspicuous features of backwardness like absence of Schools, Colleges, Industries, Trade, transport, hospitals, factories and other facilities which prevented their socio-economic advancement. Hence during the course of last three centuries most of them became backward socially, educationally and economically. Those in the states of Cochin and Travancore could also obtain any educational concessions or preferential treatments for appointments during the British period a they were “State Subjects”.

Name

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The Indo European races were called by different names at different times. The Europeans who first came to India were called Feringhees. Feringhee means foreignor. Their progenies also were called by that name. During the Portuguese period they were called Mestices(Mestico-Portuguese word-Mixed). The Dutch used to call them “Topasse”. This word is said to have originated from “ Dubashe” meaning “mediator”. The local people used to call them “Chattakar” which has been derived from the vernacular words, Chatta= trousers and kar= persons who wear it. The term “East Indian” was not in Vogue in Kerala, which was used in other parts of India to distinguish the descendants of Europeans and native mothers. The mixed races in Kerala were known for a long time known by the popular term, Eurasian. This term was invented by the Marquis of Hastings who considered it more euphemistic and more precise than other words, Feringhee, Topasse, Chattakar and East Indians.

It was at the formation of Anglo Indian Defense Association in 1882 that the term Anglo-Indian was for the first time introduced as the official description of the Indo-European races. A description in the Madras District Municipalities Act V of 1920, states that an Anglo Indian is a person not being an European, but who is the European descent in the male line or of mixed Asiatic and non Asiatic descent whose father, grand father or more remote ancestor in the male line was born in the continent of Europe, Canada, New Foundland, Australia, New Zealand, the union of South Africa and the united states of America. Various vagaries existed prior to adoption of Section 26(I) of the Government of India Act 1935. Therein it is stated that a person whose or any of whose male progenitor in the male line is or was of European descent but who is a native, of India is an Anglo Indian. Finally the present definition was accepted in the constitution of India. Article 366(ii) in the Indian Constitution defines an Anglo Indian as a person whose father or any of whose male progenitor in the male line is or was of European descent, but who is domiciled within in the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only. By the virtue of that official definition, the descendants of the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and other Europeans in Kerala do now come under the term “Anglo-Indian”. To quote from that great genius of words and thoughts, Shakespeare, “What is in a name?. A rose smells sweat by whatever name it is called.”

Origin

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     The discovery of the sea route to India by that gallant little nation, the Portuguese, led to far-reaching results. One important outcome of the discovery was the birth of Indo-European races.

   The Anglo Indians of Kerala are chiefly the descendants of the Portuguese, who settled down in the west coast of Malabar in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. There is a sprinkling of the Dutch, the French and the English descendants also among them. But most of them have intermingled by inter-marriages now. Persons of unmixed European blood also are there. The surnames Almeida, Abrao, Alweyn, Aruja, Bivera, Coutinho, Carvalho,Cabral, Coelho, Correya, D'costa, D'Couto, D'Cunha, D'Cruz, D'Rose, D'Silva, D'Souza, D'Claus, Dias, Durome, Fereira, Faria, Fernandez, Figerado, Figueres, Furtado, Furtal, Furtas, Gomez, Gonsalvez, Lopez, Luiz, Livero, Mendez, Nunez, Nevis, Netto, Noronho, Olivero, Paiva, Padua, Pereira, Pinheiro, Pinto, Prakasia, Rodriguez, Rozario, Rebeiro, Rebello, Saiza, Severenvce, Sequira, Surrao, and Zimenthy indicate Portuguese origin; Gallyot, Hoogewerf, Hendricks, Jacobs, Jacques, Lobo, Meyn, Van Ross, Van Reyke and Van Spall-Dutch origin; Labauchardier and Lafrenais-French origin and Jackson, Mcleod, Price, Platel, Williams and Watts-British origin. There are a few offsprings of Germans, Swiss and Italians also among the Anglo Indians of Kerala as Guenthers, Schmidts, Guezlers and Niglis. However, it is seen that some of the Portuguese names were adopted by converts to Christianity in the south during the Portuguese Period.

                It was the Portuguese king, Dom Manuel who sanctioned the marriage of Portuguese men to native women. “But that privilege was only to be conceded to men of proved character and who had rendered good services.’’ (Edgar Thurston, -Castes and Tribes of Southern India). “These marriages were most often from the high ranking and rich families which enabled them to learn the native language,. customs and manners and helped them to establish better contacts with the native population” ( The Anglo Indians by V.R. Gaikwad). It has been recorded that the Raja of Cochin arranged the marriage of a Portuguese Officer with a Namboothiri lady.

                          The Portuguese were in Kerala for a period of 165 years. Vasco Da Gama landed at Calicut on May 18, 1948. Pedro Alvarez Cabral came to Cochin on December 24,1500. The Portuguese had settlements in Quilon, Kayamkulam, Poracad, Cochin, Cranganore, Palliport, Calicut, Chaliyam and cannanore. They also built forts at Cochin, Palliport, Cranganore, Quilon, Calicut and Cannanore. With the surrender of Cochin to the Dutch on January 6, 1963, the Portuguese supremacy in Kerala ended. The Protestant Dutch followed a policy of religious persecution. Hence most of the mixed races who were Catholics fled from the towns to interior places where they could follow their religion unmolested. However, in their own interests, the Dutch revised their policy subsequently and tried to attract back those who left. The Mestices, as the mixed races were then called were allowed to erect a church at Vypin. The present church of Our Lady of Hope at Vypeen was accordingly built and athe altar and the old screen from the Church of St. Francis at Fort Cochin were transferred to that Church.

            When the Dutch surrendered to the British on October 19, 1795, “ many among the Dutch preferred to remain in Cochin. But they were gradually reduced to such great distress that the British Government had to settle pensions on them”( The Cochin State Manual-C. Achutha Menon). The Dutch and their descendants inter married with Portuguese descendants. During the period of the British, some of them married girls of mixed blood while some others had connections with Thiya women of Malabar. The progenies of such connections most often followed the life of their mothers and seldom came forward to claim that they were of mixed race. But in case of solicitous fathers, the children were sent to Anglo Indian schools where they were well educated and looked after. Such progenies thrived in life because of the special treatment they received at the hands of British Government. Some of the Frenchmen also settled down and married girls of mixed decent. Thus we find among the Anglo Indians of Kerala, people wth the blood of European who came chiefly from countries like Portugal, Holland, France and Great Britain.