Special Event: Four Histories Relay Walk

Bringing together four experts in their field, each with different areas of historical knowledge, London Unseen’s relay walk is a unique opportunity to be led through iconic areas of central London and learn about these spaces through the lenses of Black History, Sikh history, Muslim history and the history of the British Empire.

Tony Warner, Director of Black History Walks and author of Black History Walks in London Vol. 1 will lead the first leg of the walk. You’ll learn about:

• Black business owners of the 1800s

• Radio stations and racism

• Amazing African architecture

• Black theatre performers and hypnotism

• African princesses

• Caribbean WW2 heroes

He passes the baton to Rav Singh, Founder of A little History of the Sikhs and collector of Sikh objects which he curates in his own museum. Rav will tell us:

• Stories from Punjab and North India told at the memorials of the East India Company Officers of the time

• The story of Sir Charles Napier and the annexation of the Sindh province in 1843

• Stories of Lord Gough and the Anglo-Sikh Wars (1846-47, 1848-9)

• The story of the Ferozepur Regiment of Sikhs during the Mutiny of 1857, memorialised at the statue of Major General Sir Henry Havelock

• The story of John Lawrence (and the Lawrence brothers) in Punjab following the annexation of the Kingdom in 1849.

After Rav, comes the pioneering AbdulMaalik Tailor. Listed as one of the 100 Inspiring Muslims by Emerald Network, AbdulMaalik is Britain’s first professionally qualified Muslim tour guide and runs Halal Tourism Britain. On his leg, you will:

• Hear about the popular tourist location of Horse Guards Parade and its Muslim story from over 400 years ago!

• Discover the Muslim ambassador who visited the location and left a legacy lasting until today!

• Find out about the New Scotland Yard’s naughty police Commissioner who not only stole an idea from someone but, surprisingly, is still seen by the police as a pioneer in the field of forensic science! It’s time to see the Truth!

The finale of the relay will be championed by Founder and Creative Director of History Speak, Manasi Pophale. Fascinated by collective memory and public spaces, she will share:

• How the British Empire has left an impact on London’s public spaces

• The stories within the architecture, statues and monuments

• The symbols of colonisation and decolonisation in Westminster

Definitely not to be missed!

Please check your booking information in advance of the walk for the specific meeting point and itinerary.

This walk is free to the public thanks to funding from the Mayor of London's Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.