The Colourful Heritage
Digital Timeline
Our digital timeline charts the history and progress of South Asians and key events in Scotland over the last 100 years or so, from the arrival of Maharajah Duleep Singh in Perthshire to the present day involvement of women in politics.
Starting from 1855 this fascinating timeline takes you through the journey of the evolution of the South Asian and Muslim community in Scotland.
Select a time period or start scrolling through the timeline!
Historic moment for Humza Haroon Yousaf MSP on being elected the youngest and first Scottish South Asian Muslim of Pakistani heritage to be sworn in as First Minister within the Western democracies. History was made when Humza Haroon Yousaf MSP was sworn in on 29th March 2023 during Ramadhan as…
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In November 2023, the permanent ‘GlaswegAsians in WW2’ exhibition was launched at Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow. This is an exhibition curated by both Glasgow Museums and Colourful Heritage with the help of exhibits from both the Museums archives and Glasgow’s South Asian community to share the story of South Asian & Muslim involvement in…
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Centenarian Isobel Harling BEM passed away on St Andrews Day (31st Nov) in 2023. She was an inspirational figure who selflessly tended to the nine graves of Force K6 soldiers for nearly 70 years in Kingussie Cemetery whom she lovingly called ‘My Boys’. She tended to the nine Force K6…
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Superintendent Chief Faroque Hussain (Ret’d) was recognised in the Kings 2024 Honours List for his services to Police Scotland. He joined Strathclyde Police in 1999. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2019 and appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020 where he championed partnership working and engagement. As a Strategic Firearms Commander, Faroque has overseen and…
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In 2024 the Namak Mandi restaurant located on Bridge Street (which opened in 2017) moved to a larger premises within the Gorbals area. It now occupies a building with a long civic history, formerly known as Gorbals Library. The library was part of the Gorbals’ early 20th-century investment in public education and community infrastructure, serving generations of local residents before…
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Dr Mridula Chakraborty has received an MBE for her socio-cultural work despite holding only an Indian passport. This year also sees the publication of her autobipography. She is also the UK’s first female Robotics Engineer having worked with the Innovation agency of the UK (Innovate UK). She is the Director…
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For the first time, two cyclists, brothers Abdul Rahman Ali (34) & Reehan Ali (29) embarked on a journey from Edinburgh to Hajj as they cycle their way to Medina. The took on a ground-breaking challenge on a journey through 13 countries & over 3,000 miles as they Pedal 2…
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A portrait of surgical pioneer Jamini Sen – the first female Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow – was unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow in August 2024. Photo Credit: Jamie Simpson / The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of…
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To celebrate 60 years of the ‘Yousafs’ in Scotland, the former First Minister Humza Yousaf designed and launched with kiltmakers Slanj, a new ‘Humza Yousaf’ Tartan for his family and others to wear. He shared, “The green is there to represent Pakistan, my grandparents’ home and the blue to represent…
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The 16th Clyde Scout Group are the first Muslim scout group in Glasgow, and the third in Scotland. The very first was the Salaam group in Edinburgh (established around 18 years prior), followed by a group in Livingston in the summer of 2024. The 16th Clyde Scouts Group were officially…
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