Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Thomas, J.A.; Vagishwari, S.P. Title A name given to the resource Surveilling bodies, governing morality: Biopower and the contagious diseases acts in colonial India Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ethics, Medicine and Public Health;Volume;33;Issue;;Article No.;101088; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101088" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101088</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105001244830?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105001244830?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Thomas J.A., Research Scholar, Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India; Vagishwari S.P., and Head of Department, Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India Description An account of the resource This article explores the Contagious Diseases Acts (CD Acts) in colonial India using Michel Foucault's theory of biopower, focusing on their impact on devadasis. The Acts subjected women's bodies to medical and legal scrutiny, pathologizing female sexuality while reinforcing patriarchal and caste hierarchies. Devadasis, historically associated with temple practices, were recast as vectors of disease and moral disorder, aligning with the colonial administration's broader project of governance through regulation and surveillance. This study examines how the CD Acts functioned as a technology of power, reshaping devadasis identities and controlling their bodies to sustain social and political order. It also investigates how these mechanisms were challenged by resistance, demonstrating the adaptive and contested nature of colonial power. By situating the devadasis within the framework of biopower, this analysis illuminates the intersection of health policies, sexuality, and governance in shaping colonial hierarchies and marginalizing vulnerable communities. 2025 Elsevier Masson SAS Subject The topic of the resource Biopower; Colonial India; Contagious diseases acts; Devadasis; Identities; Resistance; Sexuality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Elsevier Masson s.r.l. Relation A related resource ISSN: 23525533; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online