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Sati: Tracing Its Historical Roots And Legal Abolition In India




Gargi Siwach, IILM University, Gurugram


ABSTRACT


The practice of sati, wherein a widow immolated herself on her husband's funeral pyre, has long been a topic of intense debate in Indian society1. Historically regarded as an act of supreme devotion, sati became a symbol of patriarchal control over women. Despite being outlawed in 1829 by the British through the Sati Regulation Act, the societal repercussions of this practice linger. This research explores the origins and socio-cultural significance of sati, the legal frameworks that have worked to abolish it, and the contributions of reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishvarchandra Vidyasagar. In addition, the paper delves into the continuing implications of the practice in contemporary India, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women’s empowerment and gender justice.


Keywords: Sati, Widow Immolation, Gender Equality, Social Reform, Legal Framework, Patriarchy



Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research

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Abbreviation: IJLLR

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ISSN: 2582-8878

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Website: www.ijllr.com

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Accessibility: Open Access

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License: Creative Commons 4.0

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Submit Manuscript: Click here

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All research articles published in The Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research are fully open access. i.e. immediately freely available to read, download and share. Articles are published under the terms of a Creative Commons license which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

 

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The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the IJLLR or its members. The designations employed in this publication and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IJLLR.

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