The Decline of Nair Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore 1847-1908

The book describes how a matrilineal society in Travancore began to crumble in the late nineteenth century due to the demands of a modernized state and ridicule from foreign missionaries and Hindu critics. By the end of the book, land and wealth were passing into the hands of Christians and lower castes, while Nair critics called for reforms of matrilineal practices and even for the abolition of matriliny itself.

Format: Hardback
Length: 393 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Manohar Publishers and Distributors

The book narrates the tale of a long-standing matrilineal society, where women played a pivotal role in property control, which began to unravel in the late nineteenth century due to the demands of a modernized state and the ridicule of foreign missionaries and Hindu critics. When the story begins in 1847, high-caste families, predominantly Nairs, held slaves and dominated most of the land in the southern princely state of Travancore, demanding humiliating deference from lower castes. By the end of the book, at the time of the First World War, land and wealth appear to be shifting towards Christians and lower castes, while the latter are protesting against social discrimination and Nair critics are advocating for reforms of matrilineal practices and even the abolition of matriliny itself. The book introduces a range of intriguing characters, including the long-serving British Resident, General William Cullen, who is described as a "ruin of many ladies of caste and respectability" by disapproving missionaries.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 143 x 218 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789350980347