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In the past, homosexual behavior in India was frowned upon; it wasn't necessarily criminalized, but it wasn't as socially acceptable as heterosexual behavior. It was regarded as deviant, but those who practiced it were not punished or criminalized. It was mainly connected to pleasure-seeking sexual behavior, royal orgies, and similar activities.
Homosexuality was not socially accepted as the norm in India, but it was tolerated. It wasn't even accorded the same respect as a heterosexual marriage. It was connected to seeking pleasure.
Medieval India
After the Turkic (Delhi Sultanate) and later Mughal conquests of India, circumstances changed as the new ruling classes embraced the Sharia religious doctrine.
Despite numerous instances of the Sultans themselves having same-sex partners, homosexuality was not accepted by the social norms that were established.
Both Babur and Alaudin Khilj were known to have same-sex partners.
Under British Colonisation
When the British took over India, things drastically changed. During this time, the British codified laws that applied to the entire subcontinent, establishing their view of homosexuality as a crime known as "sodomy" or "buggery."
These laws were created based on European legal norms and standards of the time rather than the cultural norms and customs of the local population. The Independent Indian state after 1947 directly inherited the majority of these legal frameworks.
Current Era
Homophobia is largely prevalent in India, despite historical evidence showing that homosexuality has been widespread throughout the Indian subcontinent throughout history.
Following years of litigation, the Supreme Court of India invalidated a portion of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code on September 7, 2018, decriminalising homosexuality in India.
Even though there is still a long way to go before there is complete social acceptance and equal rights under the law, progress is being made every day.