The Anglo-Indians constitute a very minor fraction of the total population of India. Still, they play a vital role in the Indian polity. They emerged in Calcutta, the then premier city of British India. The majority of the Anglo-Indians in India lives in Calcutta.

The Anglo-Indians are of dual racial origin and their community came to be known thus in 1911. Till the latter half of the 18th century, the Anglo-Indians and proper Europeans virtually enjoyed the same status. They were conferred high posts in administration and defence. Subsequently, they became wealthy and powerful. From the late 18th century, the British started to suppress the Anglo-Indians deliberately. They curbed the high aspirations of the Anglo-Indians by prohibiting the latter's entry into higher military and civil posts and preventing their children from going abroad for higher education.

During these abysmally dark years, the Anglo-Indians felt the need for suitable education which gave rise to several remarkable institutions in Calcutta. These followed the model of the British Public School. John William Rickett and James Kyd patronized the foundation of the parental academic institution. However, the man who influnced contemporary Calcutta tremendously was the young and versatile Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. He was a poet and an erudite professor. He spearheaded the 'Young Bengal Movement.' He was short lived and during his life-span, could not stimulate the Anglo-Indians very much. He realized that they would better establish a concrete rapport with Bengal in order to survive successfully in this city.

In the mid-19th century, the railways, the postal system and the telegraph were inaugurated which boosted the Anglo-Indians, as they were required to fill the vacancies in these strategic sectors. They supported the 1857 revolt and as such, were later given a large share in jobs like police, army, customs and medical services for men. Some jobs were exclusively for women as in education and nursing services.

By the turn of the following century, the Anglo-Indians suffered a severe set-back as most of the job reservations were abolished. The World War and the independence of India laid a profound impact on the Anglo-Indians. The wars brought them into direct contact with the British and American contingents. Again, the Anglo-Indians went through a succession of changes. Cadric Dover, a naturalist, attempted to organize a movement to unite all the mixed races in south and south-east Asia but in vain.

A fundamental question arises here nevertheless. How have the Anglo-Indians of Calcutta mingled with the mainstream of city-life? The community practises endogenous marriages and other social customs and holds forums and convocations regularly. They run several charitable institutions which come to the succour of people from their own community as well as other religions, creed and communities. They interact with the city thoroughly in their work sphere, social and cultural levels. The Anglo-Indians have now grasped the Bengali language as well as other important languages like Hindi for communication. They even wear the Indian costumes now-a-days.

The Anglo-Indians of Calcutta have delivered their best of cultural heritage in the city's schools, churches, practice of western music and several charitable organizations. They have contributed immensely to the city's sports and games. Many outstanding teachers like Clifford Hicks, Austin D'Souza etc. and remarkable administrators have been gifted to the city by this community. The sport of quizzing which is the hot craze of the nation to-day, was pioneered by the O'Briens (Neil, Derek and Barry), of Calcutta. The Anglo-Indian women have played a prominent role behind women's emancipation in the city. They started working as secretaries in commercial offices, school teachers and nurses in hospitals and inspired the Bengali conservative women to come out in the open and be self sufficient.

Thus, in more ways than one, the Anglo-Indians have identified themselves with the city of Calcutta and contributed to its welfare appreciably.