Lower caste women fought for many years and won the right to cover their breasts.

In 19th-century Travancore, lower-caste (Dalit) women were not allowed to cover their upper body.

Many Nadar women converted to Christianity and began wearing upper cloth, but permission given in 1813 was later withdrawn.

Further restrictions in 1829 denied them equal dress rights, leading to protests and violent clashes against Nadar women, schools, and churches.

On 26 July 1859, under pressure from Charles Trevelyan, the king Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma of the Kingdom of Travancore issued a proclamation allowing lower-caste women, especially Nadar women, to cover their upper body.

This permission still had restrictions on style.

This decision followed long social struggles against caste restrictions, including the Mulakkaram (breast tax) system in Travancore.

It is known as the Channar Revolt, also called Channar Lahala or Maru Marakkal Samaram.

Even after the proclamation, discrimination continued, and the struggle lasted into the early 20th century.
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