Women Labour in Colonial Malabar's Modern Industries: A Study
By Shapna K.P.
Summary
This study examines the role of women in modern industries during the colonial period in Malabar, part of the Madras Presidency. It highlights how small-scale industries, including those established by the Basal Evangelical Mission, employed significant numbers of women, who constituted over 30% of the workforce. Despite their contributions, historical labor studies often overlooked women's participation, focusing instead on male perspectives. The research explores the socio-economic conditions of women workers, including their recruitment, migration from rural areas, gender-based division of labor, and involvement in strikes and unionization. It also analyzes the influence of caste, religion, and colonial policies on industrial growth and labor dynamics. Tables provide data on factory distribution, employment sectors, and recruitment patterns in Mission industries, showing a dominance of lower-caste women workers. The study emphasizes the challenges faced by women, including limited access to urban industries and societal restrictions, while underscoring their resilience and adaptability in balancing work and household responsibilities.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant yet overlooked role of women in Colonial Malabar's modern industries, revealing their substantial participation (over 30% of the workforce) despite societal marginalization. It challenges the male-centric historical narrative by emphasizing their dual burden of industrial labor and domestic responsibilities, often within rigid caste and religious frameworks. The research underscores how missionary-led industries initially prioritized religious affiliation in recruitment, while later shifts toward technical training and industrial schools provided some pathways for skill development. However, the absence of documented records and the socio-economic constraints of illiterate, lower-caste women further obscured their contributions. The findings call for a more inclusive labor history that acknowledges women's agency and resilience, while also addressing the systemic inequalities that shaped their industrial experiences.