An auto-rickshaw is one of the most recognisable sights on Indian roads. From crowded city streets to small-town lanes, these three-wheelers are a familiar part of everyday life.

That is why the sight of an Indian-style auto-rickshaw cruising through the streets of the UK caught people's attention online. Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared a video of the unusual sight on X, and what followed was a wave of jokes, memes and witty comments.

Many users jokingly described the moment as "reverse colonisation."

Anand Mahindra Shares the Video

Anand Mahindra shared the video on X with a humorous Gujarati caption that roughly translates to, "The rickshaw has arrived in the UK... it's a Mahindra, it's ours."

He also clarified that the vehicle had been imported into the UK by an enthusiast.

The sight of a vehicle so strongly associated with Indian streets appearing on British roads immediately caught the attention of social media users.

Why Did the Auto Become a Talking Point?

Auto-rickshaws are widely used as a mode of transport across India and several other Asian countries. In the UK, however, seeing one on an ordinary road is far less common.

That contrast made the video particularly entertaining for Indian viewers. A vehicle that is usually considered an everyday part of Indian city life suddenly looked unusual simply because it was in a completely different setting.

One social media user even commented that they had spotted a similar rickshaw in the UK a few days earlier.

Internet Calls It ‘Reverse Colonisation’

The comments section quickly turned into a comedy zone.

Several users joked that after Britain had influenced India for centuries, an Indian auto-rickshaw had now made its way to British roads — hence the playful reference to "reverse colonisation."

Others imagined what it would be like for a traditional Indian auto driver to deal with London's traffic, weather and roads.

Some users even joked about the next stage of the auto's British adventure: the inevitable negotiation between the driver and passenger over the fare.

Where Are the Famous Auto Slogans?

Indian auto-rickshaws are often decorated with humorous messages, slogans and colourful artwork. Naturally, social media users noticed that the UK-based rickshaw appeared to be missing some of the classic phrases commonly seen on Indian autos.

From "Horn Please" to witty warnings and personalised messages, these slogans have become a unique part of India's road culture.

Users joked about what the rickshaw would look like if it received a full Indian-style makeover.

From Everyday Transport to Social Media Star

The incident shows how something completely ordinary in one country can become an unusual sight somewhere else.

For Indians, an auto-rickshaw is hardly a novelty. But seeing one navigating British streets turned an everyday vehicle into an internet sensation.

Anand Mahindra's light-hearted post gave social media users plenty of material for jokes, but it also highlighted the growing global presence of Indian-made vehicles.

For a vehicle that spends most of its life navigating India's busy roads, making an appearance in the UK was certainly an unexpected upgrade in scenery.