Shifting Paradigms : The Impact of European Intervention on Women's Lives in Travancore

The women in Travancore had a remarkable social history. The Sangam literature provides a clear picture of social life of women in that period. Women enjoyed high status and position during Vedic period. Later Vedic period witnessed a decline of the status of women. Aryans introduced the caste system and this caste system restricted the freedom of women. The superstitious beliefs and unnecessary customs hindered the progress of women in the communities. The customs that prevailed in Travancore regarding women were a reflection of their denial of rights and oppression. Such practices were not only depriving women of their freedom but also their identity. The intervention of Europeans and reform movements changed the condition of women through ages. Before their coming, the position and status of women in the Travancore was defined by social, cultural and political contexts. The upper cloth revolt movement, the kallumala agitation, reforms in Marumakkathayam law, non-recognition of sambandham marriage and emergence of community based organisations uplifted the position of women in the society of Travancore. London Missionary Society and Church Missionary Society in Travancore helped the lower castes and women of Travancore to fight against the social injustice.The study adopts a historical and analytical approach for the analysis of data regarding colonial modernity and changes after the coming of missionaries. The coming of European Missionaries had both positive and negative impacts. After their coming, improved the condition of women in the Travancore and at the same time missionaries introduced Victorian concept of womanhood in to the society and it negatively affects the existing condition of women in Travancore.