What is nangeli?

Nangeli was a woman who reportedly lived in early 19th century Travancore (present-day Kerala, India). According to a local oral tradition, she cut off her breasts in protest against the mulakkaram, a supposed breast tax imposed on lower-caste women by the kingdom of Travancore. This tax was purportedly levied based on the size of a woman's breasts, and those who paid it were allowed to cover their breasts in public, while those who didn't were not.

Following her act of defiance, Nangeli is said to have bled to death, and her husband, upon seeing her body, jumped into her funeral pyre. The place where this supposedly happened is now known as Mulachiparambu (meaning "the land of the breasted woman").

However, the historical authenticity of the Nangeli story is highly contested. There's a lack of documented evidence from the period to support the existence of the mulakkaram or Nangeli's actions. Many historians and scholars argue that the story is a myth or legend that has evolved over time, possibly to symbolize the oppression faced by lower-caste women in Travancore. The narrative is often used to critique the caste system and the exploitation of marginalized communities. Despite the debate surrounding its veracity, the story of Nangeli remains a potent symbol of resistance and anti-caste activism in some circles.

Here is some information about Nangeli:

Nangeli was a woman from early 19th century Travancore (present-day Kerala, India). She is known for a local oral tradition, according to which she cut off her breasts in protest against the supposed mulakkaram, a breast tax imposed on lower-caste women by the kingdom of Travancore. The place where this is thought to have happened is now called Mulachiparambu. The story of Nangeli symbolizes the oppression faced by lower-caste women in Travancore. Her story is a symbol of resistance and anti-caste%20activism.