Why did the changes in clothing styles lead to violent social reactions in India? Describe the caste conflict between Shanar caste and Nairs.

(a) In India there were no sumptuary laws but the caste system laid down the rules for dress codes for different castes. No one could go against these norms or rules. For example, Shanars in Travancore were prohibited from using umbrellas and wearing shoes or golden ornaments. If some people tried to go against these norms, they were opposed and such incidents led to violent social reactions.
(b) The caste system in India defined, what different castes – subordinate or dominant or upper or lower – should wear In case of the Shanars, and the Nairs in Travancore princely state, the former (Shanars) were a subordinate caste. They were a community of toddy tapers who worked under Nair landlords. They were prohibited from using umbrella etc. and were expected to follow the local custom of never covering their upper bodies before the upper castes.
However in 1820s, under the influence of Christian missions, the Shanar women began wearing tailored houses to cover the upper parts of the bodies like the Nairs. This was against the norms of dressing for the Shanars. Thus, they were attacked in public places and their clothes were torn all. Complaints were filed in the court against the Shanara who refused to render free labour for the upper castes.
The Government intervened and issued a proclamation in 1829 ordering Shanar women to abstain in future from covering the upper parts of the body. This proclamation was not obeyed by the Shanar Christian women and even Shanar Hindus and conflict went on.
In 1855, the slavery was abolished in Travancore. In October 1859, the Shanar women were again attacked and their clothes of upper parts of the body were stripped. Violent clashes took place. Thus, finally the government permitted Shanar women, whether Christian or Hindu to Wear jacket, or cover their upper bodies in any manner whatever, but not like the women of