Huge South Indian populace in George Town, nearly as large as the Chinese majority. That’s because, at its founding by the British back in 1786, it was ruled as part of India, despite its location in Southeast Asia. Penang was known then as the Fourth Presidency of India, behind Bengal, Madras and Bombay.
At one point in its history, around the late-19th-century, Indians constituted the majority of its population. The influx of the Chinese began as the Manchu dynasty declined, and many emigrated to escape war and famine. The British welcomed them with open arms and soon, Penang and Singapore became virtual Anglo-Chinese-Indian cities.
Today, the Penang populace is an amazingly diverse, kaleidoscopic collection of cultures.
