Sex Work in Colonial India
episode
Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
52 min
3 speakers
8 chapters
transcribed 4 months ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
How did the British Empire's views on sexuality affect India?
Do you want even more shocking and scandalous history? Like why the ancient Greek statues had such small manhoods or what went on behind closed doors in the Georgian era? Well sign up to History Hit where you can see me discover the scandalous side of history as well as hundreds of hours of original documentaries plus new releases every week covering everything from prehistoric Scotland to the Treaty of Versailles. Sign up to join me in locations around the world and explore the past. Just visit historyhit.com forward slash subscribe Hello my lovely Batwixters, it's me, Kate Lister.
What were the Indian perspectives on sex work before colonial rule?
Welcome back once again to Batwix the Sheets, the show where we get pervy with history for your entertainment and your education. But before we can go any further together, I do have to let you know, it's an adult podcast. It's spoken by adults to other adults about adult things in an adult way. You can arrange adult subjects and you should be an adult too. Right, do you feel safer? Well, I certainly do.
How did the Victorian morality influence sex work in colonial India?
Let's crack on. As you know, one of my favourite and certainly reoccurring themes of the show is how the Victorians fucked everything up. And they really did. And today's episode is a prime candidate for exploring this theme. Britain's involvement in South Asia, what is now known as India, far predates the Victorians. But there's a particular Victorian morality that they love to impose on anyone and everyone that they came into contact with. And of course, that meant the British Raj in India as well. Not only did they get themselves all het up about what the natives were getting up to, but sex work became a real focus for them.
What role did the Devadasi community play in Indian society?
Of course it did. They were panicking about sex work at home, so why would they worry about it any less in India? But what happened when these two very different cultures collided? How did the British attitude to sex play its part in colonising and subjugating India? Well, listen on to find out more.
Thank you.
Hello and welcome back to Betwixt the Sheets, the history of sex scandal in society with me, Kate Lister. Today's episode is a fascinating one, if I do say so myself. I mean, they're all fascinating, but this is a really, really fascinating one because we are looking at the ways the Victorian Britons tried and failed, quite spectacularly, to come to terms with Indian ideas of sex and sexuality after they forced control of the country in 1757.
How did the Contagious Diseases Act impact sex workers in India?
But what were Indian views on sexuality and indeed sex work like before the British Raj established itself? How did the Indian class system play a part in shaping these viewpoints? And what has been the lasting legacy of colonial occupation in India today? Joining me today is the wonderful Anjali Arundhaka, Professor of Feminist Studies at the University of California, whose own family history of sex workers plays a fascinating role in this conversation. And whilst I'm here, I want to let you know once again about the two Betwixt the Sheets live shows that are happening in May. They're almost sold out. They really are. We're at 90% gone now. But, you know, maybe you wanted to sit in the aisles or something.
But we've got one in Edinburgh and another one in London. And tickets are available at feign.co.uk.
What are the historical implications of the British Raj on modern India?
Just search for Betwixt the Sheets and I'd love to see you there. Right, without further ado, everyone, let's just crack on. Hello and welcome to Betwixt the Sheets. It's only Professor Anjali Arundhaka.
How are you doing? I am doing as well as possible in this global dystopia, but I await love, life and liberation.
Now, there's an answer. That's the answer that we're all clinging to, isn't it? It's just, how are you doing? Well, we're doing as well as we possibly can be right now, I suppose.
How is sexual labor understood and treated in contemporary India?
Quite, quite. You are a professor of feminist studies at the University of California, and you are the author of many papers and books, but in particular, for the record, on sexuality and the colonial archive in India and abundance sexuality's history. So as a starter question... What brought you to studying India colonialism and sexuality?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
How did the British Empire's views on sexuality affect India?
0:00–0:38
2
What were the Indian perspectives on sex work before colonial rule?
0:38–0:56
3
How did the Victorian morality influence sex work in colonial India?
0:56–1:45
4
What role did the Devadasi community play in Indian society?
1:45–2:57
5
How did the Contagious Diseases Act impact sex workers in India?
2:57–3:41
6
What are the historical implications of the British Raj on modern India?
3:41–4:22
7
How is sexual labor understood and treated in contemporary India?
4:22–5:21
8
What challenges do Hijras face in today's society?
5:21–52:46