Appearance and Identity Crisis in Modern Indian History

Chakarawarti explores the history of Indian eunuchs, from the Mughal empire's fall following the Mutiny of 1857 to the Supreme Court of India's historic ruling in 2014. This book examines the social, political, economic and religious aspects of Indian eunuchs lives, providing a true narrative of this marginalised group that has been neglected for centuries. It contains detailed stories of Indian eunuchs from the 1857 uprising to the historic decision to grant them the title of third gender in the Supreme Court of India in 2014. This includes the actual account of the court proceedings and how this decision brought about an enormous transition to their lives by granting them fundamental rights under the Constitution of India and the right to self-identification of their gender as male, female or third gender. An important resource for scholars of Gender Studies, Transgender Studies and Subaltern History, especially those interested in the Third Design in modern Indian history.