Transgenders, often identified as Hijras, Aravanis, Kothis, Kinnars or Sakhis, have existed in the Indian historical records since the 9th century BCE. There was a time when the third gender was given a prominent place in the society as administrators and political advisors to the king. The Hindu mythology has also given due recognition to the transgender, be it in the form of worshipping of ardhnarishwar or the blessings bestowed upon them by Lord Rama when he came back from exile. However, over the course of time their status has degraded. This degradation and discrimination became institutionalized for the first time when the British rolled out the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871. This Act particularly targeted the transgender community. Even though the Act was repealed in 1951, the damage was already done and India was transformed into a transphobic society.