Sati system

The Sati system was a historical practice in parts of India where a widow would voluntarily or sometimes forcibly immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. It was rooted in complex cultural and social beliefs, including ideas of loyalty, honor, and social status. Sati was often seen as an act of devotion, but it also reflected societal pressures and gender inequalities. The practice was officially banned in the 19th century by the British colonial administration, though it persisted in some areas for years afterward. Today, Sati is widely regarded as a tragic and oppressive practice that is illegal and condemned worldwide.