A study of the social and cultural context of Indian poetry in English reveals several important insights into its origin. Indian poetry in English began in Bengal, the province where the British first gained a stronghold. In addition, this poetry was a largely urban phenomenon, centered in Calcutta. _________________. Then, gradually, it moved to other urban centres such as Madras and Bombay. Even today, Indian poetry in English remains largely urban. Moreover, because English was an elite language, Indian poets writing in English came from the upper classes.