Was Gender Fluidity ‘Mainstream’ in Pre-Colonial India?

How did notions of gender and sexuality change in colonial India? Dr. Madhavi Menon, Professor of English at Ashoka University, explains our pre-colonial history of ‘indifference to difference.’

Credits:
Featuring: Dr. Madhavi Menon
Edited by: Anahita Sachdev
Produced by: Shrishti Malhotra
Creative Supervisor: Karla Bookman

[shrishtimalhotra]

'Indifference to difference.' - a philosophy we really need to go back to today.

[aradikas]

Man, the British really messed us up in all angles

[daylightnsomniac]

These topics need to be discussed in our society.

[debleenasen]

This video definitely needs to be longer! Great work.

[aashimishra]

hey.
Just came across swaddle through youtube Ad and became a fan instantly.
I really wana be a part of you guys.
I'm upsc aspirant n keep on wondering and questioning around things similar to subjects you guys create.
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[teachatot]

The hijras held very prominant posts during the Mughal rule.They were treated with respect and were known for their wisdom.

[Sippingteasince]

Can I say one thing you guys are atleast making my qurantine better ♡♡♡

[sanjuktadas]

We need more in depth knowledge about these matters.
Love this channel.❤️
Learning so many new things .
Ancient India was far more open minded .

[bluesky]

So interesting.. But don't think can blame the British entirely for our current regressive patriarchal and puranitical approach to sex sexuality and gender

[godwillsaveus]

Main kehna chahti hu ki isi topic p Hindi me bhi video post kre so that hm Apne 40-50 age ke logon Ko bhi share kr ske

[sanskrutibarot]

Everything was fine before desert cults started. Europe and Asia weren't patriarchal until the desert cult invasions started. Read the book "Dark Ages" by Catherine Nixey.

[kriyaprashant]

So the flaws of our society basically came with the British.

[annmarysabu]

This knowledge mAkes me want to go live in pre colonial India.

[aquariusapproach]

Definitely your video will help me in my English and vocabulary....
Thank you So much for such a
Knowledge video from all aspects

[uodrkzp]

Great video.
I want to ask one thing though..Most examples provided of gender fluidity in ancient India usually involve men. Hijra, aravanis... These were born male who could identity out of their gender and present themselves as such too. Why do we VERY RARELY see born females getting to transcend their gender? Where are the gender non conforming women in our ancient and medieval history?

Patriarchy shows its ugly head here too...Where men get to transcend their gender but women usually don't!

I'd really like examples of more women!

[kiramn]

I love wearing women's clothing and makeup, but the public glare when I go out is so irritating. If women can wear shirts and trousers why can't I wear a dress of my choice

[Norahpaws]

M wondering why i dint find this channel earlier. 😊👍🏼 awesome content and presentation

[ValkyriZ]

Well, men dressing up as women was quite normal in old days as women were not allowed to perform . They dressed up as women to portray women. Not to BE women or claim they were women. I think its misleading to say that was same as gender fluidity.

[projectreport]

Wow such an informative video.
Will use this while coming out

[Citizens_Tube]

Directly picked up from the ishq lecture series. Nice!