NANGELI AND THE BREAST TAX IN KERALA
Breast tax (Mulakkaram) must be the most abnormal tax levied anywhere in the world. It was introduced by the erstwhile state of Travancore under the British rule in India. This tax was imposed on the women of lower caste, Nadars and Ezhavas between the age of 16 and 35. They were not allowed to cover their breasts and if anyone do otherwise were punished by heavy taxes. There was Channar revolt between 1839 and 1859 that prompted earlier against this tax seeking right for their women to cover their body at will but it went on for long until it was withdrawn in 1924.
The most remembered person in breast tax revolt was Nangeli who lived in Cherthala in the princely state of Travancore during the early 19th century. She was said to have cut off her breasts in protest against the breast tax. However the story of Nangeli was never reflected in historical books of Kerala and therefore, remained in the minds of the people like a fiction. Surprisingly this got large publicity when BBC published a a comprehensive article on the role of the great woman Nangeli.and the aftermath. The Village Officer, then Parvathiyar, of their region visited their home to assess her breasts and collect the tax accordingly. As a strong protest to those interfering the freedom of a woman to preserve her body, Nangeli instantly chopped off her breasts and have the man in place of the tax amount.
And that made Nangeli an ever living woman in the minds of the people of Travancore.
K V George
Comments
Post a Comment