Metal pots signaled caste status whose use provoked assault

Evidence

In November 1935 some Untouchable women of well-to-do families started fetching water in metal pots. The Hindus looked upon the use of metal pots by Untouchables as an affront to their dignity, and assaulted the Untouchable women for their impudence. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 832

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels the immodesty/sumptuary theme — material markers (metal pots, ghee) function like sumptuary codes defining who may consume luxury goods.