Sati Pratha (historical context)

Sati Pratha, practiced in some parts of India, involved a widow self-immolating or being coerced to commit suicide on her husband's funeral pyre. This tradition was rooted in societal norms that considered a woman's identity tied to her husband. Historically, it was prevalent among certain Hindu communities, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The practice was outlawed in the British Raj in 1829 due to efforts by reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who advocated for women's rights and the dignity of life. Its legacy reflects broader issues of gender, social status, and reform in Indian history.