How did Indians react to the Western style of clothing which came into India in the 19th century? Explain.
During the colonial period in India, especially men began incorporating some elements of Western style clothing in their dress. The wealthy Parsis were among the first to adopt Western style clothing. Baggy trousers and the phenta (hat) were added to long collarless coats with boots and a walking stick. Western style clothing was accepted by groups of dalit converts to Christianity. They found it as-a means of liberation and self-respect. Here too, it was men rather than women who accepted the new dress styles.There were many Indians who were against Westernisation of clothes. They believed that the Western culture would lead to a loss of traditional cultural identity of them.
Thus, there were some Indians, like Bengali bureaucrats who resolved this dilemma by wearing Western style clothes in office and more comfortable Indian clothes at home.