Dublin Core
Title
Hijras had a place in Hindu history as eunuchs.
Subject
2018
Eunuchs were designated the third gender in Hindu culture, whether or not they were castrated. They formed lineage houses and severed households, especially naming newborn children. The married couples desired them to perform this role because people commonly understood the hijra to have baraka - sacred powers.
Eunuchs were designated the third gender in Hindu culture, whether or not they were castrated. They formed lineage houses and severed households, especially naming newborn children. The married couples desired them to perform this role because people commonly understood the hijra to have baraka - sacred powers.
Description
Today, Hijra performs dances, songs, and blessings at both births and weddings of Hindus. To many Hindus, hijras benefit a baby when they confer fertility, prosperity, and long life on the child. One to two days after a marriage ceremony—hijras will perform to bless the couple with fertility. To many Hindus, it is the third-gender nature of hijras—including the sacrifice of their procreative ability to the goddess—that grants hijras this incredible religious power. Hijras also can curse a family that is disrespectful or refuses to pay for the blessings. Many Hindus, and the hijras themselves, take these blessings and curses very seriously; hijras say they only curse in extreme circumstances. While hijras are often invited to perform these rituals, they will also attend births and marriages unannounced, claiming their right to participate as their sacred religious duty. Fearful of receiving a curse from hijras, Hindu families often welcome them in and pay them for their services, even when uninvited. However, sometimes Hindu families refuse them entry or refuse to pay, even going as far as calling the police. Still, the cultural authority of the Hijra is so powerful that the police will often do nothing to remove them. Hijras are often treated with both respect and fear."
In April 2008, the transgender people in Bihar invoked their former respect and supremacy when they demanded involvement in the same social welfare policies that governed their lives during the Mughal era. The Bihar government gave the third gender the same trust and regard historically given to them. They will employ transgender people to secure females in remand or short-stay homes. The government believes such a move will not just improve the security situation of women but will also generate employment of eunuchs, a majority of whom currently live by begging.
In April 2008, the transgender people in Bihar invoked their former respect and supremacy when they demanded involvement in the same social welfare policies that governed their lives during the Mughal era. The Bihar government gave the third gender the same trust and regard historically given to them. They will employ transgender people to secure females in remand or short-stay homes. The government believes such a move will not just improve the security situation of women but will also generate employment of eunuchs, a majority of whom currently live by begging.
Source
Quoted from: Religion and Public Life. The Third Gender and Hijras
HINDUISM CASE STUDY - GENDER | 2018
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/gender/third-gender-and-hijras
When eunuchs were the mid-rung of power in the Mughal empire, by Adrija Roychowdhury, The Indian Express, New Delhi, July 19, 2018.
https://indianexpress.com/article/research/eunuch-security-guards-bihar-mughal-empire-history-5266102/
HINDUISM CASE STUDY - GENDER | 2018
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/gender/third-gender-and-hijras
When eunuchs were the mid-rung of power in the Mughal empire, by Adrija Roychowdhury, The Indian Express, New Delhi, July 19, 2018.
https://indianexpress.com/article/research/eunuch-security-guards-bihar-mughal-empire-history-5266102/