Did You Know About The 'Breast Tax' In Kerala

This is one of the most bizarre practices that was being followed until a brave woman sacrificed her life to abolish this practice. Find out about the “Breast Tax” in Kerala.

Friday, March 31, 2017, 11:51

When we learn about History, there are many things that simply blow our minds due to all the bizarre practices and rituals that people followed.

Here, in this article, we are about to throw light on one of the most bizarre practices that was followed in Kerala. It is known as the 'Breast Tax'!

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Find out the history behind this practice and how it got abolished after a woman decided to make a stern decision to stop this practice!

Check out the bizarre history of this practice!

It Was A Practice Imposed On Dalit Women Of Travancore

This practice is also known as the Mulakkaram. It was a tax that was imposed on the Dalit women of Travancore. When the women walked in public, they did not have the right to cover their breasts, based on the size, as per this terrible practice.

It Started In The 19th Century…

This horrendous tradition came into existence in the early 19th century in Travancore, Kerala. It was forced upon the Dalit women by the upper-caste communities.

It Was End Of Humanity…

This barbaric rule of taxing women not only violated their basic human rights in South of India, but it also slaughtered the humanity into pieces.

Details About This Bizarre Law…

According to this bizarre law, not only the women were barred from covering their breasts, but they also had to pay a tax for wearing jewellery or draping bright-coloured sarees and for men, they were taxed for growing a moustache!

It Had A Purpose

This inhuman practice was brought into action not only to subjugate the lower castes, but also to keep them in debt forever, as it could affect their livelihood and even their existence.

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It Was Until A Brave Woman Stood Up To Fight Against It!

If not for this one brave-hearted woman named Nangeli, the whole of India would actually have incurred the wrath of this barbaric tradition. She was the one who stood up for it and went against the upper class people.

She Decided To Defy The Atrocities Of The Upper Caste

She retaliated by covering her breasts all the time in public and this angered the upper caste community. She was termed the ‘notorious woman' and she was fearless, as her husband supported her.

Fear Of Revolt

The King decided to charge her with tax for covering up her breasts in public and this did not stop her, as she decided to cut her breasts and handed it over to the people who had come to her house for tax collection. Seeing her, they fled and she instantly bled to death!

Her Husband Couldn't Handle The Loss…

Seeing his wife's burning pyre, he jumped in too, as he could not live without his wife. This made him the first man to commit Sati. The King had to abolish the practice, as he feared public outcry.

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