4.  Reactions

    The upper caste people, who posed themselves as the protectors of the social order, rose in revolt against the Dewan’s action. The people belonging to this community were attacked everywhere. The Nadars, who were well-trained in “kalari”, the traditional martial art of Kerala, organised themselves to resist the attack on their new found freedom. The whole of southern Travancore witnessed a law and order problem. As a result, Rani Gauri Parvathi Bhai, the Regent of Travancore, issued an order in 1818, which said if any “Channar” women wore upper cloth, her bosoms would be chopped off.  Channar was a term used to denote the backward caste people, especially the Ezhavas and the Nadars. In her order, the Regent described the behaviour of Nadar women as ‘disobedience’ or ‘akramam’. It may be most astonishing to know that this order was issued by a woman ruler. 

    The Christians of southern Travancore were resolved to continue their fight to live as human beings. In this, they were amply supported by the LMS missionaries. The people disregarded the Regent’s order and the women continued to wear upper cloth. Again, the missionaries approached the Dewan and presented a memorandum. The missionary named Charles Mead obtained another order from John Munroe in 1922, granting permission to Nadar women to cover their bosom.