Question

Why the abolition of slavery in Travancore in 1855 was frustrating for upper caste?
A. Because the freed slave resorted to riots.
B. Because the freed slave refused to work under the upper caste.
C. Because the upper caste people felt that they would lose control of freed slaves.
D. Because freed slaves converted into Christianity.

Answer 1

Hint: In the 19th century, Travancore became a princely state of the British Empire. The Travancore government took various steps on the socio-economic front during the reign of Maharaja Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. The caste system was more rigorously enforced in Travancore and lower castes people were treated as slaves.

Complete answer:In Travancore, the caste system was deeply rooted in the minds of people. They discriminated based on caste and divided them on the basis of clothes which they used to wear. People who used to wear clothes on their chest were upper caste and respected ones and it was the sign of superiority for both males and females whereas lower castes men and women were not allowed to cover their chest in front of high ranked castes.
Slavery was another problem which was faced by people of Travancore as even after 1812 Royal decree, slavery continued to prevail. In 1836, slaveds who worked as bonded tenants in government lands were released and finally, Christian missionaries like Bailey and Baker send the memorandum to the Travancore government to impose a complete ban on slavery which was further abolished in 1855.

Looking at the options given:
Option A. Even after riots, upper-caste people continued to control them. It is an incorrect option.
Option B. Many of them did not refuse to work even after the 1812 royal decree. It is an incorrect option.
Option C. After the abolition of slavery, upper-caste people felt that they would lose control of freed slaves. This is the correct answer.
Option D. Very few people converted themselves into Christianity. It is an incorrect option.

Hence, The correct answer is Option C.

Note: Travancore King abolished all forms of Slavery after facing resistance from both the Lower caste and the Christian missionaries. Even the neighbouring princely states like Kochi also banned slavery in 1872.