• Dr. Subhash S

Abstract Vaikam Sathyagraha was a notable historical event in the history of Travancore. It was a part of antiuntouchability agitation initiated by Indian National Congress in 1924. In Travancore the Sathyagraha was led by T.K.Madhavan. Various historical factors influenced the Sathyagraha. The social structure of Travancore was organised on the basis of cast prejudices and obnoxious caste practices. The feudal economic system emerged in the medieval period was the base of such a society. The colonial penetration and the expansion of capitalism destroyed feudalism in Travancore. The change in the structure of economy naturally changed the social structure. It was in this context so many social and political movements emerged in Travancore. One of the most important social movements was Vaikam Sathyagraha. The British introduced free trade and plantations in Travancore by the second half of nineteenth century. Though it helped the British Government to exploit the economy of Travancore, it gave employment opportunity to so many people who belonged to Avarna caste. More over lower castes like the Ezhavas,Shannars etc. economically empowered through trade and commerce during this period. These economically empowered people were denied of basic rights like education, mobility, employment in public service etc. So they started social movements. A number of social movements emerged in Travancore in the nineteenth century and the first half of twentieth century. Through Vaikam Sathyagraha a regional social movements was linked with pan Indian freedom movement.

Social Reform, Colonialism, Sathyagraha, Capitalism, Untouchability

"Colonialism, Social Reform and Social Change : The Socio-Economic underpinnings of Vaikam Sathyagraha in Travancore", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.646-656, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906V94.pdf

"Colonialism, Social Reform and Social Change : The Socio-Economic underpinnings of Vaikam Sathyagraha in Travancore", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp646-656, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906V94.pdf