Sati Abolition: History & Act

Sati Abolition: The practice of Sati was abolished through the Sati Abolition Act, of 1829, also known as the Bengal Sati Regulation. It was passed by Lord William Bentinck. The practice of sati was declared illegal and punishable to reform Indian society by the British East India Company. This Act became the turning point in the reforms of Indian society.

Sati Abolition

What Is Sati?

Sati, or suttee, was an old practice in some cultures, especially in ancient India. In this custom, a widow would burn herself alive on her husband’s funeral pyre. It came from cultural and religious beliefs, mainly in Hinduism.

The concept of sati was tied to ideas of devotion and loyalty. People believed that a woman’s life was not complete without her husband. By sacrificing herself this way, the widow showed her dedication to her husband and aimed for spiritual benefits for both in the afterlife.

What Is Sati Practice?

The term Sati originated from the verbal word Sat, which means truth. Sati is a Sanskrit word that means chaste wife. To follow the Hindu custom of sati, a widow had to burn herself alive on the funeral pyre of her husband. Often the women were pressured to perform the sati under societal pressure and manipulation. This was considered an act of heroism while performing the duty of a wife.

Sati was practiced in different regions of India and among certain communities, but it was not universally accepted or practiced across the entire country. Over time, the practice faced criticism, and efforts were made to abolish it. British colonial authorities in India, particularly during the 19th century, played a role in abolishing sati. The Bengal Sati Regulation, enacted in 1829 by the British East India Company, was one of the early legal measures to ban the practice.

Why Was Sati Abolished?

The abolition of Sati was possible after tireless efforts of social reformers and the government of colonial India. For the first, the practice of Sati was banned by the Portuguese in Goa in 1515. Later, this practice was also banned by the Duchess and The French in their respective ruling areas. Britishers took action against this practice in 1829 after the pressure from the Indian social reformers including Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

The practice of Sati was abolished due to many factors :

• Human Rights Violation: The practice of Sati was an act of violation of women’s fundamental rights. Women were degraded from their right to life and autonomy to live independently without their husbands. Most often women were burned without their consent which was inhumane conduct.

• Manipulation in the name of culture: It was very evident that most of the women were forced and pressured to perform the Sati against their will. They were manipulated in the name of culture, and tradition and to prove their faithfulness towards their husbands by sacrificing their own lives.

• Modernization of Indian Society: With the advent of the Europeans in India, the west education influenced many scholars and raised their concerns regarding Indian society. As a result, the 19th Century witnessed issues like caste discrimination, female education, widow remarriage, and so on. The abolition of Sati also became one of the leading issues at that time.

Abolition Of Sati – UPSC Exam

The term Sati originated from the verbal word Sat, which means truth. Sati is a Sanskrit word that means chaste wife. To follow the Hindu custom of Sati, a widow had to burn herself alive on the funeral pyre of her husband. Often the women were pressured to perform the sati under societal pressure and manipulation. This was considered an act of heroism while performing the duty of a wife.

Role Of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in Bengal in an orthodox Brahmin Family in 1772. The title of ‘Raj’ was given to him by Mughal emperor Akbar II. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was also known as the father of Modern India’s Renaissance due to his works towards the reforms of Indian society. One of his important reforms was the abolition of Sati. He was against the immoral and heinous custom of sati practice. He was very vocal against this practice after witnessing his brother’s widow performing this Sati practice.

He fought effortlessly by initiating public campaigns, protests, and writing to raise awareness about this unethical act of society. In one of his works, Sambad Kaumudi, he wrote the article by proving that there is no written proof to commit the practice of Sati in any Veda or epics.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Abolished Sati System

Raja Ram Mohan Roy helped end the Sati system in India during the 19th century. Sati was when widows had to burn themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. Here’s how he did it:

1. Social Activism: Raja Ram Mohan Roy started by raising awareness about the negative aspects of the Sati system. He engaged in social activism, organizing meetings, and writing articles and pamphlets condemning the practice.

2. Educational Initiatives: Roy believed that education was a powerful tool for social reform. He established the Hindu College in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1817, where he promoted modern and scientific education. Through education, he aimed to enlighten people and change their perspectives on traditional customs like Sati.

3. Appealing to Reason and Logic: Roy was known for his rational and logical arguments. He engaged in debates and discussions, challenging the religious and cultural justifications for the Sati system. He used scriptures to demonstrate that Sati was not a mandatory religious practice but a social custom that could be abandoned.

4. Formation of Brahmo Samaj: In 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy co-founded the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement. The Brahmo Samaj aimed to promote monotheism, reason, and social justice.

5. Legal Advocacy: Roy also recognized the importance of legal measures to abolish the Sati system. He actively contacted the British East India Company and the British authorities to enact laws against Sati. His efforts enabled the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, which declared the practice illegal.

6. Public Support: Raja Ram Mohan Roy gained support from like-minded individuals and groups who were also committed to social reform.

7. Personal Sacrifice: Roy, in his personal life, took a stand against Sati. When his sister-in-law was forced to commit Sati, he opposed it vehemently and, despite facing social backlash, worked to prevent such incidents in the future.

Bengal Sati Regulation/Sati Abolition Act, 1829

Lord William Bentinck, who was the first Governor-General of India, enacted the law on the Abolition of Sati. This led to the enaction of the Bengal Sati Regulation/ Sati Abolition Act, of 1829. This legislation declared Sati practice illegal as well as punishable by the law. This ban was upheld by the Privy Council in London in 1832.

The Commission Of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987

The Roop Kanwar Case led to the enactment of the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act in 1987. In this case, an 18-year-old girl was murdered through the practice of Sati with the death of his husband in a village in Rajasthan. This case created an uproar among the activists, media, and social workers. As a result, this act was enacted to eradicate the Sati Practice in India.

Its key provisions are as follows:

• The act defines the word Sati with its meaning, scope, and applicability stressing its seriousness.
• Punishments for the offenses have been detailed. It criminalizes the act of sati, attempts to commit sati, and abetment of sati.
• The District Magistrate is authorized to preventive steps to prohibit the acts of Sati and seize or close the structures promoting it.
• The establishment of Special courts for the trial of offenses under the Act is also mentioned.

Act/Regulation	Year	Area/Presidency Covered
Bengal Sati Regulation	1829	Bengal Presidency
Bombay Prevention of Sati Act	1827	Bombay Presidency
Madras Regulation VII	1830	Madras Presidency
Sati (Prevention) Act	1987	All over India

Conclusion

In conclusion, the end of the Sati System in India is a big step in the country’s history. This harmful practice, tied to cultural and religious beliefs, was strongly opposed by Indian reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The British colonial government, led by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck, played a key role in stopping Sati by passing the Sati Regulation Act in 1829. The abolition of Sati shows how societies can change for the better when people challenge harmful practices, and it reminds us of the ongoing need for fairness and equality. The abolition of Sati was also the turning point in Indian history of social reform. This abolition reflects the progressive and humane treatment of women in society, both during British rule and post-independence. It also highlights the complexity of cultural practices and the importance of legal forces to bring out social reforms.

Related Resources:

• Abolition of Slavery in French Revolution
• Major Issues and Debates Concerning Indian Women of the 19th Century
• Article 17 of the Constitution: Abolition of Untouchability
• Governor Generals Of British 

Sati Abolition Act – FAQs

Who Abolished Sati System?

The Sati system in India was abolished by the British colonial administration.

Who Passed The Sati Abolition Act 1829?

The Sati Abolition Act of 1829 was passed by the Governor-General of India, Lord William Bentinck.

Why Did The British Ban Sati?

The British banned Sati primarily due to humanitarian and moral reasons. They viewed the practice as inhumane, oppressive to women, and incompatible with their cultural and social values.

In Which Year Was Sati Banned?

Sati was officially banned in 1829 with the passage of the Sati Regulation Act by the British colonial administration.

Is Sati Still Practiced In India Today?

Sati is illegal in India, and there have been no reports of the practice being carried out is reported.

Who Was The First Indian To Protest Against Sati?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a social reformer and the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, was one of the first Indians to protest against the practice of Sati.

Who Was The Last Sati Pratha In India?

The last recorded incident of Sati in India was in 1987 in the Deorala village of Rajasthan, where a woman named Roop Kanwar immolated herself.

Did Charles Napier Stop Sati?

Charles Napier, a British military officer, intervened to stop a potential incident of Sati in 1840.