A history of social movements in south travancore from 1800 to1947

Abstract

The dissertation entitled, A History of Social Movements in South Travancore newline1800-1947 aimed at making a detailed analysis of the services rendered by the newlineMissionaries of the London Missionary Society to remove social evils by means of giving newlineeducation and spreading Christianity in South Travancore. The period between 1800 and newline1947 was one of the most epoch making periods in the history of South Travancore. This newlineperiod witnessed social, political, economic and administrative changes in this State. newlineThis thesis is organized in seven chapters including Introduction and Conclusion. newlineThe Introductory chapter deals with the social reforms, importance of the study, statement newlineof problem, objectives, significance, nature, methodology, sources, implementation, newlinelimitations and chapterisation of the study. The first chapter provides an over view of the newlinevivid topography and present history of South Travancore from 1806-1956. It also deals newlinewith the conditions of women belonging to various communities like Brahmins, Vellalars, newlineNadars, Elavas. The second chapter gives some glimpses of the dreadful custom of newlineslavery. In this chapter the important factors of slavery are also explained in detail about newlinethe poor condition of slaves. The third chapter is about the fight against the abolition of newlinethe Uliyam and Viruthi. There was different kinds of feudal system established by the newlineState of Travancore. Uliyam means labour without remuneration and Viruthi also comes newlineunder the same category but the different names of this agricultural communities like newlineNadars and Parayas were cruelly trusted by the village officials which are explained in newlinedetail. The fourth chapter is exclusively devoted to explain in detail about the Upper newlineCloth Movement conducted by low-caste women belonging to Nadar Caste. At last the newlinematter of the covering of the upper body of the women. The agitation of the women was newlineindeed a struggle for moral equality and justice.