Sati Pratha (historical practice)

Sati Pratha was a historical Hindu practice in India where a widow would voluntarily or sometimes under social pressure, self-immolate on her husband's funeral pyre, often sacrificing herself to join him. It was considered a act of devotion, symbolizing loyalty and the purification of the soul. The practice was more common among certain regions and communities, but it was never universally practiced. It was officially banned by the British colonial government in the 19th century, recognizing it as inhumane and obsolete. Today, Sati is regarded as a tragic and destructive tradition, reflecting social patriarchy and gender issues of that era.