Social Evolution, Marginalization and Vulnerability of the Hijra Community in Bangladesh: A Historical Analysis

Abstract

Hijra people live all over the world. They have a prehistoric connection to the first historical setting in which men and women were created. This article aims to provide facts about the nomenclature, identity, categorization, social status in different civilizations and religions, and the social evolution and marginalization of the hijra community. Based on secondary sources of data, this has been analyzed adopting a historical method. Social scientists claim that the hijra community is a district group that is neither man nor woman. The hijra group is recognized as a transgender or third gender since they do not undergo the typical maturity of their genitalia after birth due to an abrupt or aberrant physiological alteration in the chromosomes during fertilization and division. Hijra people have been documented in several ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Sumerian, Egyptian, and Mediterranean societies throughout human history. Moreover, the concept of third gender has been explicitly and implicitly emphasized in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Over time, the social history and customs of the hijra people on the Indian subcontinent have evolved and changed due to the influence of Mughal rule, British colonization, the Pakistan period, and post-independence Bangladesh. Specifically, there have been several historical shifts in the metrics of domicile, profession, education, status and authority of the community. In addition to improving the lives of these marginalized and neglected people, this article may make a significant contribution to gender studies, sociology and anthropology by helping to comprehend the historical background of the community.