Sweet memories of Christmas Balls attended in days of their youth, of times spent with friends who are now far away, memories of sitting around the fire place and cutting fruit for the plum cake, of Uncles and Aunts leaving gifts near the X’mas tree and letting the children believe that Santa brought them, yearning for the days when there were many more Anglo Indian families in the town, wishing that the children of the family who have grown up and flown from the nest could be back home more often….all these and many such sentiments can be felt in every Anglo-Indian home in the Doon valley.
The Doon valley and Mussoorie once had a very large population of Anglo-Indians. All schools had fine Anglo-Indian teachers and it was due to them, to a large extent, that the Doon valley got its great reputation of being a ‘Mecca’ of school education. Every child who studied in the schools her in the 60s, 70s and 80s would definitely remember the wonderful way the Anglo-Indian teachers taught the students. They inculcated a discipline which was difficult to forget throughout one’s life.
Schools like Cambrian Hall, St. Thomas and CJM had a number of well-known teachers from this community. Some of the names that come to mind are Mrs Shepherd, Mrs and Mr Meyers, Miss Deedkar, Mrs Bowen, Miss Gardner, Mrs Butlerwhite, Mr White, Mr Peters, Mr Clarke and Mrs Hensman.
Gradually, many of them left for other countries, but the legacy still remains as some families continue to live here and follow the traditions which this unique community has been known for.
Fortunately, we have the Gardners, the Meyers, the Hiltons, the Marks, the Shepherds and some more families in the valley.Recently, a book has been released (published by Niyogi Books) which has encapsuled five hundred years of Anglo Indian history.
This book, written by S Muthiah and Harry Maclure talks of the physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional existence of Anglo-Indians. It is a realistic and detailed description of the history of the community, their changing status, their struggles, achievements and problems. The book covers many aspects with which the friends of Anglo-Indians in the valley may not be aware of. Anglo-Indians of the fourth generation may not know these details of their history.
In the chapter titled ‘A legacy of Schools’, the authors tell us that the first Euro/Anglo-Indian School to be established is believed to be what became the Mussoorie School, but was always called ‘Maddocks’ till it closed in 1900. The school was established in Mussoorie in 1835 by John Mackinnon. “The Rev Robert Maddocks, who came out to Mussoorie to head it and reorganise it, left a lasting impression that long survived his name being synonymous with the school.” St. George’s and Oak Grove Schools of Mussoorie also find mention in the chapter. Mussoorie-based travel writers Hugh and Colleen Gantzer are also spoken about as among the major achievers of the community.
Well-known Anglo Indian writer Allan Sealy who lives in the Doon valley features prominently in the book. In the Foreword to the book, Dr Beatrix D’Souza, former member of parliament, says "While Muthiah has erected the scaffolding as it were, Sealy (in his book The Trotternama) has filled the spaces with colour, romance and adventure of the Anglo-Indian story. The Trotternama, subtitled 'A Chronicle' is dedicated "To the Other Ango-Indians." While historically valid, it is a work of art.
lucknow-born Harry Webb (Cliff Richard), the famous pop singer who was baptised in a church in Doon valley, is also talked about by Muthiah. The essence of the Anglo Indian way of life is seen by the authors to be strong family ties, strong religious ties, Christianity, western lifestyle and dress, love of western music and dance, and freedom from caste-ridden considerations.
These features, when names one after the other, paint a clear and vivid picture of an Anglo-Indian for the reader. So true and accurate is the way the book gives us an insight into the life of the community that has always been searching for an identity, whether it is in India or in the western countries.
Today, about two-thirds of the community have settled overseas. In India, the other third is progressing very well. They are proving to be achievers and significant contributors to all walks of life. Dehradun is indeed proud that it is still home to this vibrant community which has a great heritage.