Trans and gender-diverse communities are not new to South Asia. Hijras have been documented in Indian history for over two thousand years and appear in ancient Hindu texts, temple traditions, and court records. Historically, Hijras held ritual and ceremonial roles, particularly in blessings related to birth, marriage, and fertility. During the Mughal Empire, Hijras even served in royal courts as advisors, guards, and administrators — positions of trust and authority. The social marginalization H