The Breast Tax Once Collected in India

In past centuries, in some states of India, various taxes were imposed on lower-caste women. One of them is Mulakkaram, So it was a breast tax.

Some historians While denying the reality of this tax some suggest it is implemented. What is this breast tax? Let’s see the real story behind it.

It is claimed that the aim is to strengthen the caste structure.

It was said that lower caste women were not allowed to cover their breasts, and in cases where they did so to heavy taxes They were exposed. Dr. is an associate professor in the field of Gender Ecology studies. Sheeba KM says the aim of this is to preserve the caste structure and humiliate the lower caste. After all, dressing up was a sign of wealth.

The king’s officers were visiting the people and collecting taxes from women who had passed puberty, and the amount of the tax was according to breast size was being taken. Social customs regarding clothing were shaped by a person’s caste status. Conditions required that a person’s status could be understood from the way he dressed.

There was also a rebellion regarding this.

Two lower-caste women were publicly executed for wearing clothes. Another woman named Nangeli reacted to raise her voice after this incident. He cut off her breasts with a sickle. According to some rumors, he even presented them to the authorities on banana leaves.

Later, his body could not stand the bleeding and he died. Thereupon, a great rebellion began and the Travancore Kingdom began to impose pressure on women. He gave back the right to wear clothes.

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