Nangeli

Nangeli (also spelled as Nangeli) was a woman who, according to oral traditions from Kerala, India, lived in the early 19th century in the princely state of Travancore. She is remembered for protesting against the breast tax (Mulakkaram) imposed on women of lower castes by the kingdom.

According to the accounts, Nangeli, belonging to the Ezhava community, refused to pay the tax, which was levied on lower-caste women who chose to cover their breasts. As punishment, revenue officials demanded the tax payment from her. Nangeli is said to have then cut off her breasts and presented them to the officials. She reportedly died shortly after due to blood loss.

The story of Nangeli is considered a symbol of resistance against caste oppression and the injustice of the breast tax. It is said that after her death, the king abolished the breast tax. However, historical evidence directly corroborating Nangeli's existence and the immediate abolition of the tax following her death is limited.

The tale of Nangeli continues to be circulated as part of the oral history of Kerala and has been invoked in discussions about caste discrimination, women's rights, and the history of social reform movements in the region. It is a subject of debate among historians, with some considering it a powerful symbol of resistance while others question its historical veracity due to the lack of formal documentation. The narrative plays a role in shaping contemporary understanding of historical power dynamics in Kerala society.