Religious Conversion and Transition of Dalit Women in Travancore
By Soumya. L. R.
Summary
The article examines the historical context of religious conversion among Dalit women in Travancore, Kerala, focusing on their marginalization within the rigid caste system. Dalit women, historically integral to agricultural and industrial labor, faced systemic oppression through caste-based discrimination, economic exploitation, and social exclusion. The caste hierarchy in Kerala, dominated by Brahmins and Nairs, enforced severe restrictions, including untouchability, forced labor, and punitive taxes, pushing Dalit communities like Pulayas, Parayas, and Kuravas into perpetual subjugation. Religious conversion emerged as a means of escape from this oppression, particularly during the 1850s–1860s, when Christian missionaries gained influence. Factors driving conversion included belief in miraculous healings, political and economic opportunities linked to colonial powers, and the appeal of a more egalitarian religious framework. However, converts often retained caste-based social structures, leading to tensions as they sought to redefine their status. The study highlights how religion facilitated social change, challenging entrenched hierarchies and offering marginalized groups a pathway to greater agency. The analysis underscores the interplay of caste, religion, and power in shaping the lived experiences of Dalit women in colonial Kerala.
Conclusion
The study highlights the profound social implications of religious conversion among Dalit women in Travancore, emphasizing how caste oppression and systemic marginalization drove large-scale religious transitions. The rigid caste hierarchy, marked by economic exploitation, cultural stigma, and political disenfranchisement, pushed Dalit communities toward conversion as a means of escaping oppression and seeking social mobility. The analysis reveals that religious conversion, particularly Christianity, facilitated structural changes by offering an alternative social order, though it also led to tensions as converts navigated new identities. The historical context of Travancore’s Jenmi system and the commodification of slavery further underscores the systemic dehumanization faced by Dalit women. Ultimately, the study positions religious conversion as a critical tool for social transformation, enabling marginalized groups to challenge entrenched caste hierarchies and assert agency over their lives.