English Heritage announces Blue Plaque for a London building
Home away from home: 26, King Edward’s Road, Hackney will become a Blue Plaque.
English heritage announces Blue Plaque for a London building for Indian ayahs and Chinese amahs.
During 19th and early 20th century, women from South and East Asia who served as Nannies to British families during colonisation were called ayahs or amahs. Firstly, British administrators and businessmen from East India Company employed ayahs to look after their children on long sea voyages or during their retirement.
However, these nannies were abandoned by British families after coming to Britain. Moreover, the ayahs were dismissed without any payment or arrangements made for their return to their country or home. As a result, they were forced to beg for their journey return to home.
It is believed that every year, at least 100 to 140 ayahs came to Britain with similar arrangements.
What is the building that English Heritage announces as Blue Plaque?
The building is situated at 26, Kind Edward’s Road, Hackney. Now, it will be commemorated with a Blue Plaque.
Buildings which are associated with significant figures in history are labelled as Blue Plaque. Ayahs and amahs who travelled with British officials and families only to be abandoned later resided here. Thus, the house helped them to find their way back to India or to their homes.
Blue Plaque will be a remembrance of ayahs and their misery and struggle.
