Introduction
✅ Sati was a social practice in India where a widow self-immolated on her husband’s funeral pyre.
✅ The practice was mainly prevalent in Rajasthan, Bengal, and some parts of Central India.
✅ It was considered an act of devotion (pativrata dharma) but was also forced on many widows.
Reasons Behind Sati
✅ Social & Religious Beliefs: Considered a way for a woman to attain salvation.
✅ Property Rights: To prevent widows from claiming their husband’s property.
✅ Caste System: More common in upper castes (Rajputs, Brahmins, Kshatriyas).
✅ Fear of Widowhood: Widows faced social ostracism and were treated unfairly.
Efforts to Abolish Sati
1. Early Attempts
✅ Mughal Emperor Akbar (16th Century): Tried to discourage Sati but did not ban it.
✅ Aurangzeb (17th Century): Issued orders against Sati but enforcement was weak.
✅ British Officials (18th Century): Initially did not interfere, fearing resistance from Indian society.
2. Lord William Bentinck’s Role (1829)
✅ Governor-General of India (1828–1835).
✅ Abolished Sati in Bengal Presidency in 1829 through Regulation XVII.
✅ Based his decision on the influence of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who campaigned against Sati.
✅ Law was later extended to all British-controlled regions.
👉 Effect: Marked the first major social reform under British rule in India.
Comparison of Reformers Against Sati
| Reformer | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Akbar (Mughal Emperor) | Discouraged Sati but did not ban it. |
| Aurangzeb (Mughal Emperor) | Issued orders against Sati, but weak enforcement. |
| Raja Ram Mohan Roy | Campaigned against Sati, influenced the British government. |
| Lord William Bentinck | Abolished Sati through Regulation XVII (1829). |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which Governor-General abolished Sati in British India?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Hastings
c) Lord William Bentinck
d) Lord Dalhousie
✅ Answer: c) Lord William Bentinck - Who was the social reformer who played a major role in the abolition of Sati?
a) Swami Vivekananda
b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
d) Jyotiba Phule
✅ Answer: b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy - In which year was Sati abolished by the British?
a) 1813
b) 1829
c) 1853
d) 1872
✅ Answer: b) 1829 - Which law made Sati illegal in British India?
a) Pitt’s India Act (1784)
b) Charter Act of 1813
c) Regulation XVII (1829)
d) Indian Penal Code (1860)
✅ Answer: c) Regulation XVII (1829) - Sati was more common among which group in India?
a) Lower castes
b) Upper castes (Rajputs, Brahmins, Kshatriyas)
c) Muslims
d) Adivasis
✅ Answer: b) Upper castes (Rajputs, Brahmins, Kshatriyas)
Conclusion
The abolition of Sati (1829) was a historic social reform led by Lord William Bentinck and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. It ended a brutal practice and paved the way for further women’s rights movements in India.
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