A Queer Fight for Decolonization: The Detriments of British Colonialism on India’s Hijra Community
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.224Keywords:
LGBTQ , History, Indian History, Colonialism, British Colonialism, HijraAbstract
The Hijras, a once celebrated LGBTQIA+ community in precolonial northern India, now struggle to fight for equal economic opportunities, social esteem, and political rights, most significantly, the right to freely express their homosexuality. This paper investigates the detrimental effects of English colonialism in molding India’s postcolonial culture of homophobia and oppressing the Hijra community. Specifically, this research initially analyzes ancient Hindu scriptures to demonstrate the Hijras’ precolonial prominent social roles and show indigenous Indian society’s tolerance of homosexuality. After examining the origins of modern homophobia in England, this essay unpacks how British colonial institutions and stereotypes enforced an agenda of Hijra extermination and replaced India’s fluid understanding of sexuality with strict heteronormativity. Ultimately, since these homophobic colonial laws and thinking continue to impact India, this paper uniquely argues that the fight for queer and Hijra equality in postcolonial India is a fight for decolonization.References
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