Sati (practice)

The practice of Sati (also sometimes unphonetically written suttee) was a Hindu funeral custom in which the widow immolated herself alive on her husband?s funeral pyre.

Prevalance

The practice at any time was probably restricted to certain castes and communities, and to certain regions. This varied through history. For instance, it is recorded as having occurred in the Vijayanagara empire, in the south between the 14th and 16th centuries, but by the 19th century, it was hardly known in southern India. During the earlier 19th century, it was largely restricted to Rajasthan, Bengal and parts of the Gangetic plain. It is estimated that at this time several hundred cases of Sati occurred each year across India. Since that time, the relatively few recorded cases have been concentrated in parts of Rajasthan.

Related Topics:
Caste - Vijayanagara empire - Rajasthan - Bengal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The opportunity or the need to obtain control of the possessions of the deceased husband by other relatives is suggested as an economic reason for the persistence of the custom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The custom of the immolation of a widow (or other close relatives and slaves) was also practiced by the ancient peoples of Scythia, Egypt, Scandinavia and China. There have been suggestions that the practice was introduced into India from central Asia by the Scythians, from whom the Rajputs in India are believed to be descended.

Related Topics:
Scythia - Egypt - Scandinavia - China - Rajput

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~