Women in ancient India did not consistently cover their breasts
Historically, evidence suggests that women in ancient India did not consistently cover their breasts, and the practice of doing so became more widespread due to a combination of factors, including the influence of missionaries and later the British colonial period.
- Ancient India and Minimal Clothing:
- In certain regions of India, especially those with warm climates like South India, bare-chestedness was traditionally common and not associated with shame.
- Ancient texts and sculptures depict women wearing minimal clothing, often consisting of lower garments and sometimes an upper garment draped loosely or tied around the breasts, not necessarily covering them fully.
- Stanapatta or breastbands were mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and were used to support breasts, but didn’t necessarily fully cover them in the way blouses do today.
- Influence of External Cultures:
- Missionaries and Colonization: The arrival of missionaries and the British colonial period brought new ideas of modesty and dress, influencing women to adopt more covered attire, particularly in the 19th century.
- Mughal Influence: The Mughal Empire, during its rule (16th to 18th centuries), also impacted Indian clothing with the introduction of styles like the salwar kameez, though breast covering wasn’t universally adopted even within Mughal palaces.
- The “Breast Tax” (Mulakkaram):
- There was a system of tax in the princely state of Travancore (South India) known as Mulakkaram, or breast tax, levied on lower-caste women who covered their breasts.
- This tax was not about forcing women to remain bare-chested for modesty but rather to reinforce social hierarchies and identify caste status through clothing.
- The Mulakkaram was ultimately abolished in 1924, following decades of protests and social reforms.
In conclusion, while there may have been regional variations and personal preferences for breast covering in ancient India, the widespread practice of women covering their breasts, particularly with garments like blouses, became more prevalent and standardized under the influence of Western notions of modesty and social norms introduced during the colonial period.