Burnt Alive: The Horrifying Tradition of Sati Ritual and How it got Abolished
The Indian feminist from the 18th Century and his relentless quest.
Credit: Wikimedia
Imagine a world where losing your husband means losing your life. This is exactly what was practised till 20th century India. This was the terrifying reality for many widows who were forced or coerced into committing "Sati".
This barbaric tradition demanded that a widow be burned alive on her husband's funeral pyre. It was seen as the ultimate act of devotion.But in reality, it was a horrifying symbol of how little , the society valued women's lives.
The Dark History of Sati
The term "Sati" originates from the mythological story of the goddess Sati, who self-immolated out of humiliation.
But, she was not a widow at that time. It was once a symbolic tale that some think that it turned into a deadly practice.
The first ever reports of Sati date back to 464 CE in Nepal and 510 CE in Madhya Pradesh. Subsequently, the practice extended to Rajasthan. In this state, the majority of sati instances over the ages occurred.
Well, different tales give different reasons for practice of this horrific practice.
It is also said that a Rajput queen sacrificed herself with her husband's funeral pyre, in order to protect herself from Mughal invaders.
There is no doubt, women were objectified as a material for fulfilling the lust, for the invaders once they gain victory.
Therefore , hundreds of women along with the Rajput queen had ended their lives in order to protect themselves from the greedy invaders.
Well, this incident has some explanation up to an extent. But, linking this with the "Sati" ritual for burning women alive along with their deceased husband is barbaric.
For centuries, widows, regardless of their will, were forced to throw themselves on their husbandâs pyres.
This gruesome act was glorified as a noble sacrifice, but in reality, it was a brutal ritual rooted in patriarchy. It was aiming to erase the woman once her"usefulness" was deemed over.
Raja Rammohan Roy: The Crusader Against Sati
Raja Rammohan Roy and his contribution towards abolishing this heinous act is truly remarkable.
He is known as a man who wasnât content to stand by and watch this atrocity to be continued. He was born in 1772 in Bengal, Roy was a visionary thinker. He was deeply disturbed by the widespread acceptance of Sati.
He lost his sister-in-law to the practice, and the horror of that incident spurred him into action.
Roy recognized that the Sati tradition was a societal and religious weapon used to oppress women.
He didnât just speak outâhe acted. He founded the Atmiya Sabha in 1814, an organization that worked to educate people and mobilize public opinion against Sati.
He used his extensive knowledge of Hindu scriptures to argue that the practice was not only inhumane but also had no true basis in religious texts.
This was revolutionary indeed. Using religion to challenge deeply entrenched religious practices, with proper proof was much needed to to abolish something deeply rooted as Sati.
The Legal Battle and Ultimate Victory
Raja Rammohan Royâs relentless advocacy didnât go unnoticed. He wrote petitions, lobbied British officials, and engaged in public debates.
His efforts caught the attention of Governor-General Lord William Bentinck, who shared Royâs outrage over Sati.
India was still under British Colonial Rule at that time.
Credit : Byjus
Thanks to Royâs persuasive arguments and tireless work, Bentinck passed the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829. This officially outlawed this barbaric practice in British India.
This wasnât just a legal victoryâit was a monumental step towards recognizing the human rights of women in India.
Rammohan Roy's efforts laid the groundwork for future social reforms and established him as one of the earliest male feminists in history.
A Legacy of Courage
I have to mention, Raja Rammohan Royâs crusade against Sati was more than just a fight against a cruel tradition.
It was a fight for the dignity and rights of women. His legacy is still a reminder for us, that true change often requires standing up against societal norms.
No matter how ingrained they may be.
We are thankful to his courage. Because of him, countless women were spared from a fate of unimaginable horror.
India took a critical step forward in its long journey towards gender equality.
I usually write content based on satire and humour. However, there are certain things that deserve to be told to the World. Sometimes, coming out of your own niche is more important than generating more views.
Reference:Brief history of Sati System
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