Ignited Minders

How women in Kerala started covering their breasts:

200 years ago, if you were a lower-caste woman in Kerala, you had to pay a breast tax, if you want to cover your breasts in public. If you feel h***y or if you were not able to pay, then you can expose your breasts in public and walk around.

This practice continued until 1803, when Nangeli refused to pay and instead cut off her breasts and threw them at the breast tax collectors appointed by the King of Travancore. Later due to the anger and protests, the collection of breast tax was stopped.

So Keralite women who are happily wrapping their breasts in beautiful Onam sarees should thank Nangeli. This is the woman who fought for your breasts.