Archive · 27 Jan 2026
Historian Explores Ireland and India's Shared Colonial History
Jane Ohlmeyer, a historian, talked about how Ireland and India were both part of the British Empire.
Ireland was one of the oldest colonies, and India was the largest.
The Irish were both victims and helpers of the Empire.
Many Irish people went to India with the British, often as soldiers or officials.
Some Irish people even helped resist British rule in India.
The British used ideas and methods they first tried in Ireland in India too.
This shared history is important to understand today.
There are still connections between Ireland and India, like the Indian community in Ireland and discussions about reunification in Ireland.
Jane Ohlmeyer discusses Ireland and India's shared colonial history under British rule.
Ireland was both a victim and perpetrator of imperialism, with Irish people serving in the British Empire in India.
Many Irish soldiers and officials were sent to India, often in positions of power but with limited opportunities for advancement.
Policies and practices developed in Ireland, such as education and policing, were later adopted in India.
The Indian community in Ireland is significant, with about 165,000 people, and generally well-assimilated, despite some instances of racism.
- Who
- Jane Ohlmeyer, historian of early modern Ireland and empire
- What
- Discussion on Ireland and India's shared colonial history and its modern implications
- When
- During the Jaipur Literature Festival
- Where
- Jaipur, India (with references to Ireland, India, and other locations)
- Why
- To explore the deep, often uncomfortable connections between Irish and Indian histories under British rule
- Historian
- Jane Ohlmeyer
- Documentary
- From That Small Island: The Story of the Irish
- Filming Locations
- Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, 14 others
- Irish in British Army
- Two-thirds of White soldiers in 19th century India
- Indian Community in Ireland
- 165,000 people (3% of population)