An
understanding of the ground reality of Kerala in 18th and 19th
centuries is essential to understand the significance of Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s contributions to the Kerala society. The 19th
and 20th centuries witnessed the emergence of a new social order in
Kerala under the impact of the diverse social economic and cultural changes. Even towards the end of the 18th century the
traditional social structure had began to show signs of tottering. Before we deal with the various stages by
which the new social order was ushered in, now we shall briefly review the state of the
society in Kerala in the 18th century and the first half of the 19th
century.
Kerala Society in the
18th and 19th centuries
Kerala
society was not based on the principles of social freedom and equality. Its chief
characteristic was the deep chasm which separated the high castes from the low
castes. In spite of the administration of the English East India Company in
Malabar, the upper castes like the Brahmins, the Kshatriya and Nairs, continued
to enjoy several privileges and immunities.
The
law prevailed in the land was not equalitarian. The upper castes enjoyed
exemption from the payment of land tax. The Brahmin even enjoyed
immunity from death penalty. It was also the privilege of Brahmins Judges to
give judgements in all important cases. The penal code was extremely severe as
far as the lower castes were concerned. The death penalty was imposed upon low caste even for
ordinary offences like theft, killing of cows etc. and was some laws of
our realm were thus set forth
1.
As to how questions
regarding the adjustment of legal relations between person, the rights and
duties of vendors and purchasers, and disputes concerning lands and tracts
settled.
2.
As to how grave crimes
such as causing death or hurt, highway robbery and theft, injuries and offences
involving loss of caste are dealt with.
3.
As regard the question of how the laws specified
above are ascertained.
Early administrative
and social changes
The
British and the Indian administrators introduced a series of
administrative and social reforms with the view to modernising administration
and the society in Kerala. The important one was the abolition of slavery in Malabar,
then establishment of new society, concept of Government, etc.
Shanar Agitation
Special
mention may be made, in this connection, of the struggle of the Shanars of
South Travancore to secure for their womenfolk the same rights in regard to
dress as were enjoyed by the upper sections of the Hindus. There were so many
problems in connection with this issue and they were helped by the Christian
Missionaries. Later the British Government changed this law and they were given
permission to put on the upper cloth.
Western Education and
the work of the Christian Missionaries.
The
different communities of the land, particularly the Nairs and the Christian,
soon took to western education in order to become eligible for recruitment to
Government service. The role of the Christian missionaries in the spread of
western education and liberal ideas deserves special mention in this context.
Religious and Social
Reform Movement.
The
early decades of the 20th century witnessed the beginning of
powerful social reform movement in Kerala, the impact of which was felt by the
members of the upper castes too. Even Brahmins, kshatriyas and other upper
castes came within the fold of these movements an advocated radical social
reform. The prominent persons are:
Chattampi Swamikal
Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Chattampi Swamikal
Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Sri
Narayana Guru
Brahmanada
Sivayogi
Swami
Vagbhatananda
Vaikunta
Swami
Ayyankali
Vakkam
Abdul khadir Maulavi ( Muslims)
Rise of Communal
Organisation
The
rise of communal organisation dedicated to the case of social reform helped to
supplement the activities of these people. The most important of the social
reform movement of Kerala was the agitation for removal of untouchability.
Vaikam Satyagraha
Its
aim was to get the approach roads to the Vaikam temple opened for the Avarnas
of the Hindu community. One of the highlights of the Satyagraha was the Savarna
jatha organised under the leadership of Mannath Padmnabhan.
Guruvayur Satyagraha
It
was to get Guruvayur temple opened for all Hindus. Thus though the Guruvayur
Satyagraha failed to achieve its immediate objective, it had helped to create a
climate in favour of the eradication of untouchability.
Temple Entry Proclamation
The
temple entry Proclamation of the Maharaja Travancore came as a bomb-shell in
orthodox Hindu circles, but it gave a massage of hope and good cheer to the
down-trodden Harijans and other backward class.
The
last but not the least important factor that has contributed to the elevation of
the new society in Kerala in decades is the emergence of the new economic and
professional class and the increasingly important part they have come to play
in public life. In recent decades, there has been a steady outflow of Keralites
to foreign countries particularly to the Gulf area, in search of employment.
This has led to the emergence of a neo-rich class which has come to exercise a
deep influence on modern Kerala society and economy. Thus a new and dynamic society is gradually
taking the place of the decadent stationary society of the 19th and early 20th
century.
thnx its for my project :)
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