sati

Sati is an ancient Hindu tradition where a widow would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. This practice, now banned, symbolized ultimate devotion.

Sati, also known as suttee, is an ancient and controversial Hindu funeral practice where a widow would choose or be forced to immolate herself on her deceased husband's funeral pyre. This tradition finds its origins in ancient Hindu sacred texts, though its application has varied over the centuries. Sati was seen as an act of purification and supreme loyalty to the husband, allowing the widow to join her spouse in the afterlife and attain a form of spiritual salvation. However, this practice was criticized for its coercive and inhumane nature, often carried out under social or familial pressure. In the 19th century, Indian social reformers and British colonial authorities strongly condemned sati, leading to its official ban in 1829 by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck. Today, sati is illegal and considered a violation of human rights, though rare isolated cases were reported into the 20th century.