Archive · 26 Jul 2025
1944 Census in India Reveals Wartime Foreign Populations
During World War II, the British government in India counted all the foreigners living there.
The biggest group was Chinese people, and the second was Americans.
There were also people from Russia, Scandinavia, and other places.
Some people from countries like Finland and Java were put in camps, while others were allowed to live freely.
This count showed how many different people were in India at the time.
In 1944, the British colonial government in India compiled data on foreigners residing there.
The Chinese community was the largest foreign group, with over 22,000 members across India.
Americans formed the second-largest group, with a significant presence in Bengal.
The data revealed the presence of various nationalities, including Russians, Scandinavians, and Asians.
Internment status varied; Finns and Javanese faced higher rates compared to Germans or Italians.
- Who
- The British colonial authorities in India and various foreign nationals.
- What
- A census of foreigners residing in British India during World War II.
- When
- February 1944.
- Where
- Across British India, including Bengal, Bombay, and other regions.
- Why
- To gather data on foreigners from various countries, including those from Axis nations.
Treatment of Foreigners
Wartime Policies
Differing Levels of Freedom
Treatment of Foreigners
Some nationalities (e.g., Finns, Javanese) faced internment due to their country's alignment with the Axis powers.
Wartime Policies
Other nationalities (e.g., Chinese, Americans) were treated with more leniency and enjoyed greater freedom due to their wartime alliance.
- Total Foreigners Recorded
- 42,673
- Largest Foreign Group
- Chinese (over 22,000)
- Second Largest Group
- Americans (4,063)
- Americans in Bengal
- Over 1,700
- Interned Finns in Bombay
- 14 out of 15