Suttee

'Suttee' is a profound historical and sociological examination of the ancient Indian practice of widow burning. Written by Edward Thompson, a noted historian and observer of Indian society, the work delves into the complex origins, religious justifications, and eventual prohibition of this controversial rite. The book explores the historical context of the practice, detailing its prevalence across different regions of India and its impact on the social fabric of the subcontinent. Thompson provides an analytical overview of the British administration’s efforts to navigate the delicate balance between respecting local traditions and enforcing moral reform, culminating in the formal abolition of the practice in the 19th century.Through a blend of historical documentation and cultural analysis, 'Suttee' offers valuable insights into the status of women, religious ritual, and the encounter between Western colonial policy and Eastern traditionalism. It remains an essential resource for students of South Asian history, gender studies, and the history of social reform. Thompson’s scholarly approach ensures a comprehensive look at a subject that is both tragic and pivotal to understanding the evolution of modern India.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.