Kally Bewah: A Tragic Tale of Abortion in Colonial India

Words by Angel Bista

Welcome to the Brown History Newsletter. If you’re enjoying this labour of love, please do consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your contribution would help pay the writers and illustrators and support this weekly publication. If you like to submit a writing piece, please send me a pitch by email at brownhistory1947@gmail.com. Don’t forget to check out our SHOP and our PODCAST. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Kally Bewah: A Tragic Tale of Abortion in Colonial India by Angel Bista

Today, as the fight for abortion rights takes center stage in the United States, it is more important than ever to know the history of the movement, and how, for Indian women, the roots of the anti-abortion movement trace back to British colonial rule. This is the story of Kally Bewah, a Brahmin widow, who like many other Indian women, suffered from the injustices of colonial law.