Ingeminating the Resistance to Western Medicine in Travancore: With Special Reference to Subalterns

Abstract

Who Health Organization in its preamble to the constitution categorically defines Health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. A man cannot thrive in the society with ailing mental or physical health. He is supposed to have a healthy connection with the outside world, so that he could exchange ideas with the society. Even the progress of a nation is dependent on its healthy population. It is an important aspect in every human beings life. Hence any kind of discrimination in the sector will have far reaching impact on the development of a nation.

The introduction of Western medicine in India was an epoch making event the History of India, as it changed the very fabric of the treatment protocols in the state. Travancore a small native state under the British was in the forefront of this altering. She hence became the foundation on which the foundation of Kerala’s health sector was based. But the introduction of the alien form of treatment was not an easy task as invited stiff resistance from its populace.