International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

This paper presents the society of Travancore in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with an eye on the plight of women in the Namboothiri community. This comprehensive discussion focuses on the social situation of Namboothiri Women in Travancore. They were subjected to severe restrictions under the tyrannical dominance of the men folk. Although among all classes of women, the Namboothiri women enjoyed a singularly high and unlimited superiority, they were not free from social taboos. They had to suffer many oppressive customs and rituals like ghosha (veil), illiteracy, dowry, child marriage, polygamy etc. resulted in the deterioration of Namboothiri community.