British Empire of India Travel Document

[rajajin]

HI Dear Members,
I am inquiring that which sort of document people usually used while traveling abroad in British Empire of India between 1920-1947.
1-My Grandad's brother went Burma as British Indian army soldier.( dates are unknown as He passed away 15 years ago)

2-My Grandad went Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj between 1920-1925.

After partition they both came in Pakistan and both passed away now.
My question is,

On what sort of travel document they used to travel abroad ?
Did they travelled on British passport/Document? (Asking your opinion)
My second question is I would like to know their citizenship status before partition,
I call to British Embassy Islamabad and according to person over the phone He said contact in UK to check their status and he was unable to provide me any link or form which i have to use.
Could you please provide me an address where i send them information and get their status of citizenship?
Any idea or suggestion please answer my query.
Thanks

[secret.simon]

Most likely they were British Subjects, travelling on British Indian passports. They would have lost their British subject status automatically when India and Pakistan became republics or adopted their own citizenship laws.

Because India and Pakistan became independent before the passage of the British Nationality Act 1948, people from India and Pakistan were never Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) and hence never had a CUKC passport. A small number of people born between 1947 and 1950 to British fathers in India, while India was a Dominion, became British subjects without citizenship.

[rajajin]

Most likely they were British Subjects, travelling on British Indian passports. They would have lost their British subject status automatically when India and Pakistan became republics or adopted their own citizenship laws.

Because India and Pakistan became independent before the passage of the British Nationality Act 1948, people from India and Pakistan were never Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) and hence never had a CUKC passport. A small number of people born between 1947 and 1950 to British fathers in India, while India was a Dominion, became British subjects without citizenship.

Where in UK i can write and get information that they been issued Empire passport or not?

[secret.simon]

Where in UK i can write and get information that they been issued Empire passport or not?

I doubt that that information would be held in the UK. You can try the National Archives, but given that the passports were issued in India, I doubt they will have the records. You can also try some of the resources recommended in this document. You may also try to contact the National Archives of India, which may hold the archives for undivided India.

Can we inquire why are you so interested in locating your grandparents' passports? I am sure you are aware that the existence of such passports does not give you any claim to British citizenship or immigration.

[secret.simon]

Also, keep in mind that the requirement for passports for international travel is a very modern (since WWII) phenomenon and therefore it is entirely possible that your grandfather and his brother were never issued with any formal travel documents.

Given that the Hajj is a religious pilgrimage, it is likely that pilgrims were allowed to travel without formal documentation or (especially if they were from a princely state) a letter from the local ruler or religious leader.

A passport would not have been required for Burma, which was a part of undivided India till 1936 and was administered with India till independence.

[rajajin]

Also, keep in mind that the requirement for passports for international travel is a very modern (since WWII) phenomenon and therefore it is entirely possible that your grandfather and his brother were never issued with any formal travel documents.

Given that the Hajj is a religious pilgrimage, it is likely that pilgrims were allowed to travel without formal documentation or (especially if they were from a princely state) a letter from the local ruler or religious leader.

A passport would not have been required for Burma, which was a part of undivided India till 1936 and was administered with India till independence.

Obviously we all knew this, after getting Nationality of other country you lost that status.
Just want to know their History, Where they Lived,What they been doing.etc