Lord William Bentinck was a British statesman who served as the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. One of the major reforms implemented during his tenure was the abolition of the practice of sati, also known as suttee, which involved the immolation of widows on their husband's funeral pyres.
Sati was a deeply rooted tradition in Hindu culture, and it was believed to be a way for a widow to show her devotion to her husband and to join him in the afterlife. However, the practice was also seen as a way for a widow's family to dispose of her and claim her property. The practice was prevalent in certain parts of India, particularly in the Bengal region, and it had been banned by the Mughal emperors in the 16th century. However, the ban was not enforced and the practice continued.
Lord Bentinck was strongly opposed to the practice of sati and he saw it as a form of female oppression. He believed that the practice was barbaric and that it had no place in a civilized society. In 1829, he introduced the Bengal Sati Regulation, which made it illegal for any person to perform or attend a sati. The regulation also provided for the punishment of those who encouraged or assisted in the performance of sati.
The abolition of sati was a controversial measure and it faced strong opposition from certain quarters. Many people believed that the practice was a sacred tradition that should not be interfered with. However, Lord Bentinck was determined to carry out the reform and he used his position as the Governor-General to push for the abolition of sati.
The Bengal Sati Regulation was the first law in India to address the issue of gender-based violence and it was a significant step towards the promotion of women's rights. The abolition of sati was followed by other reforms, including the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, which allowed widows to remarry and inherit their husband's property.
In conclusion, Lord William Bentinck played a significant role in the abolition of the practice of sati in India. His reform efforts helped to bring about a more enlightened and progressive society and laid the foundation for the promotion of women's rights in India.
Lord William Bentick (1828
On the receipt of the reports required to be made by the police daroghas, under the provisions of the foregoing section, the magistrate or joint magistrate of the jurisdiction in which the sacrifice may have taken place, shall enquire into the circumstances of the case, and shall adopt the necessary measures for bringing the parties concerned in promoting it to trial before the court of circuit. It is impossible but that to his most humane, benevolent, and enlightened mind this practice must have been often the subject of deep and anxious meditation. Anything that relates to religion was considered to be a good and pious. But discarding, as I have done, every inviting appeal from sympathy and humanity, and having given my verdict, I may now be permitted to express the anxious feelings with which I desire the success of this measure. It was presented to William Carey for translation. An abstract of these opinions is annexed to this minute. Every day's delay adds a victim to the dreadful list, which might perhaps have been prevented by a more early submission of the present question.
Abolition of Sati by Lord William Bentinck
After a proper survey of the land the settlement was made with large land holders, cultivators or village communities according to the locality. Pigou has since been appointed to Cuttack, and has pursued the same strong interference as in Jessore, but his course, although most humane, was properly arrested, as being illegal, by the Commissioners. While the solution of this question is appalling from the unparalleled magnitude of its possible results, the considerations belonging to it are such as to make even the stoutest mind distrust its decision. Although a law had been passed to put an end to the social evil of Sati, it took some time for the effect to bear the fruits since the concept of Sati was revolved around mythology. Lord Hastings left India in 1823. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
Sati: Official Documents, Lord William Cavendish Bentinck
He continued as Governor-General from 1828 to 1835 in India. As an initial measure, an exchange of gifts took place between Lahore, the capital of Punjab and Calcutta, the seat of Governor-General. In November 1829, he circulated a minute or memorandum in which he outlined his reasons for deciding to prohibit the ritual of sati. Calcutta, the nerve centre of administration, had become too distant for the newly acquired territories. Even today, he is remembered for his good work. It was his opinion that the practice might be suppressed quietly and unobservedly by increasing the difficulties and by the indirect agency of the police.
Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829
His tenure is known for the social reforms such as Abolition of Sati in 1829, Suppression of Thugi, and Suppression of Infanticide etc. Therefore the whole of that formidable body must be regarded as blindly partial to a custom which they consider equally referrible to family honour and to point of faith. If I delay an hour to translate and publish this, many a widow's life may be sacrificed,' he said. This inhuman social custom was very common in northern India more particularly in Bengal. The fourth member only had limited authority. This source is a part of the Sati teaching module. The revolt quickly extended under Buddhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, Jaindari Manaki to Singbhum, Manbhum, Hazaribagh and the neighbouring districts.
Sati and British Policies
Government Serving Indians It was the first Act to allow Indians to take part in the administration of the country. He served as Governor-General of India 1828—1835 after the Lord William Bentinck Medical college Kolkata In 1764, the British East India Company set up the Indian Medical Service IMS , which served Europeans in British India. Mysore: In Mysore, Hindu rule under Krishnaraja III was restored by Wellesley. It was then followed by the meeting of Bentinck and Ranjit Singh on 25 October, 1831 at Rupar on the bank of the river Sutlej amidst show and splendor. The Commissioner also decided the cases which were previously dealt by the judges of the courts of appeal and circuit in the provinces. I enclose a copy of a circular letter addressed to different individuals at present in charge of the district where the tax is collected, or who have had opportunities, from their local knowledge, of forming a good judgement upon this question.
