Today in Dalit History we remember the protest of one Bahujan woman in Kerala — Nangeli. Nangeli and her husband lived in the Cherthala region of Kerala in the early 1900s.

At that time, “lower” Caste women were not allowed to cover their upper body at all. If any “lower” Caste woman wanted to cover herself, she was asked to pay a “breast tax”. This was one of the cruelest Brahminical and patriarchal policies of the time. Although this account was specific to Nangeli in Kerala, all across South India, such taxing policies have existed for oppressed women. Many taxing methodologies would be based on humiliation rituals that included judging the amount of tax owed by examining the size and shape of breasts.

Nangeli was one woman who was not having it. She had publicly refused to pay such a vile tax. Her body was hers, why would it have to be taxed? She should be able to do what she wanted with her own body at least. When the tax inspectors heard this, they arrived at her hut and began harassing her, insisting she pay up. Arguing with them, she became filled with rage. She told them to wait, went inside the hut, took a sickle and sliced off her breasts. In great pain, she wrapped the severed breasts in a plantain leaf and handed it over to the tax collectors. “Here, take it! Now, what will you tax?”

On seeing her, the tax collectors became overcome and fled the scene. Nangeli herself bled to death stating it was better to die with autonomy over your own body than to the casteist policies of the kings and “upper Castes”.

Her husband on finding her was so distraught that he opted to jump into her funeral pyre. This story reflects one of the ways in which Caste-oppressed women fought back at unjust, Brahminical, and patriarchal structures. Nangeli’s act was not just a sacrifice it was a rebellion. Her relatives in Mullachipuram (“the country of the woman with breasts”), still mourn her and say they are proud to be related to her.

Her story was revived and visually represented by artist T.Murali in recent times.

Rest in Power Nangeli! Your rebellion lives!

Read also – Remembering Nangeli, Who Challenged the Caste System by Refusing to Pay Inhumane ‘Breast Tax’

Art by T. Murali

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