Question

Explain in what different ways did Indians react to western-style clothing that comes into India in the \[{19^{th}}\] century.

Answer 1

Hint: In this question, we will talk about ways Indians react to western-style clothing. Many men were drawn to Western-style garments and started to wear them. Nevertheless, the rich Parsis were among the first to change it. To complete the look of the gentlemen, baggy pants and the phone, i.e., the hat was attached to long collarless jackets, with boots and a walking stick.

Complete answer:
In the \[{19^{th}}\] century, Indian men moved to more comfortable Western clothes, but since they were constrained by India's rituals, customs, and social norms, men were required to continue wearing traditional Indian attire. Indian culture was a patriarchal society or a society run by men, and women were meant to maintain the dignity of the family and wear traditional clothing.
Many Dalit Christian converts considered Western-style clothes to be liberating. There were those who were persuaded that the lack of local cultural identity would contribute to Western civilization. They saw clothing in the western style as a symbol of the world turning upside down. Without giving up their Indian ones, some men adopted western garments. They started stocking clothing in the Western-style for work outside the house and changed into more comfortable Indian clothes at home. In their strategy, some have become reactionist. They were persuaded that Western society would contribute, for example, many Bengalis, to the loss of their cultural identities. Those that wore western clothing insulted them. The problem was often overcome by some by making a distinction between the inner and outer realms. Without giving up their Indian ones, they began wearing Western clothes to work. When at home, they changed into Indian clothing.

Note: Western India's affluent Parsis were among the first to embrace clothes in the western style. To look like gentle-men, baggy trousers and a Phenta were attached to long colorless coats with boots and a walking stick. It was a symbol of modernity and development for certain Western clothing. There were those who were persuaded that a lack of western cultural identity would result in Western society.