What was Sati?
- Sati was a traditional practice where a widow was expected to sacrifice herself by sitting on her deceased husband’s funeral pyre. This act was seen as a symbol of ultimate loyalty and devotion to the deceased husband.
Efforts by Indian Reformers:
- Raja Rammohun Roy, a well-known reformer, played a crucial role in fighting against this practice. He argued that Sati was neither moral nor necessary and should be stopped.
Support from British Officials:
- Rammohun Roy’s efforts gained support from British officials who were then ruling India. The British were influenced by the reformer’s arguments and the moral issues concerning the practice of Sati.
Official Ban in 1829:
- Due to combined efforts from reformers and support from the administration, Sati was officially banned in 1829. This law made it illegal to force or encourage a widow to commit Sati.
Impact of the Ban:
- The ban on Sati was a significant step towards improving the status of women in India. It helped to reduce the dangers faced by widows and started a wave of debates about other social practices harmful to women.
