The Sati System
The Sati (Su-thi , a.k.a. suttee) is the traditional Hindu practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre. Sati was prevalent among certain sects of the society in ancient India, who either took the vow or deemed it a great honor to die on the funeral pyres of their husbands.
In this section at Kamat's Potpourri, we take a look at the origins, development, and instances of Sati as recorded by witnesses. We have also culled a pictorial exhibition from our archives on the topic.
Warning: This section deals with the controversial topic of suicide. It merely is an academic study of a social practice and it does not mean that we endorse the Sati system.
-Kamats
First Online: February 01, 2001
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024
The Sati System of Suicide
- Eye Witness Account of a Sati (19th Century)
- Eye Witness Account of a Sati (16th Century)
- FAQ on The Sati System
- The Origins of the Mahasati System
- The Sati Practice - The Timeline
- Bridal Makeup of a Woman Commiting Suicide
- Decorated Idols of Satis
- Decorated Sati from a Hero-stone (Mahasati Stone)
- Hero-Stone Depicting Fierce Battle
- A Mahasati Sculpture
- Mahasati Stone at Jagadalabetta in Uttara Kannada
- A Memorial for a Brave Lady
- Memorial to a Mahasati
- Memorials Erected for Women Who Committed Sati
- Sita's Trial by Fire
- Woman being Paraded before Suicide
- Woman Commits Suicide on Funeral Pyre
- A Woman Goes Sati
References
- Nagegowda H. L., Pravasi kanda India (India through the eyes of foreign travelers), Vol 1-4, 1966-1972
- Kamat Jyotsna, Mahile - Ondu Adhyayana (Studies in Womanhood), Navakarnataka, 1999
- Kamat Jyotsna, Social Life in Medieval Karnataka, Abhinav, 1980 (buy)
- Sleeman W.H., Rumble and Recollections of an Indian Official, 1844
- Susan Abraham, The Deorala Judgment Glorifying Sati, The Lawyers Collective, 1997
See Also:
- The Call of Yama -- Discussion of death in Hinduism; includes answers to frequently asked questions, and proceedings of a Hindu funeral.
- Death by Demand -- India perhaps has the longest history of assisted suicides. Different types of suicides including Sati are discussed.
Internet Links
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Susan Abraham's Essay on the Judgment Glorifying the Sati
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Virtuous Woman Through Self-Sacrifice by Vanessa Parrilla
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Duarte Barbosa's description of Sati (apprx. 1510)