17. Rishi Sunak's Ancestry: Indians in East Africa

In this episode of the "Empire" podcast, Anita Anand and William Dalrymple delve into the history of East African Asians, sparked by the recent appointment of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister of the UK. They discuss Sunak's background and the broader phenomenon of successful East African Asian immigrants in Britain. The hosts interview Mahmood Mamdani, a professor with extensive knowledge on the topic, to explore the historical context of Indians in East Africa, including proposed colonial plans after WWI, and the complex circumstances surrounding Idi Amin's expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972. Mamdani provides insights into the motivations behind the expulsion, the varying experiences of those affected, and the factors contributing to the community's subsequent success in Britain, highlighting themes of displacement, statelessness, and community resilience.