Sati Collection

A Hindu widow committing Sati, jumping into the flames to join the remains of her husband
5242583 A Hindu widow committing Sati, jumping into the flames to join the remains of her husband, from a 19th century engraving.

The Queen of Nepaul, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Queen of Nepaul, 1857. The Queen of the late Rajah was the daughter of a Goruckpore, formerly of low birth, but possessed of great talent for intrigue, which was her ruin

Un usage d'Inde, 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Un usage d'Inde, 19th century. Comment on the Hindu custom of suttee: My dear friend, I have just paid you the sincerest compliment...our prince is good and dead

Shiva Carries the Corpse of Sati, ca. 1865-75. Creator: Unknown
Shiva Carries the Corpse of Sati, ca. 1865-75. Pilgrims and devotees would have purchased such paintings as this one from craftsmen who worked around Calcuttas Kalighat temple

A Hindu Custom Now Suppressed: Preparations for a Suttee, 1908. From Harmsworth History of the World, Volume 2, by Arthur Mee, J.A. Hammerton, & A.D. Innes, M.A. [Carmelite House, London, 1908]

Shiva Bearing Aloft Body Sati 1800s India Calcutta
Shiva Bearing Aloft the Body of His Sati, 1800s. India, Calcutta, Kalighat painting, 19th century. Black ink, watercolor, and tin paint

A Hindu Widow Committing Sati, Jumping Into The Flames To Join The Remains Of Her Husband. From A 19Th Century Engraving

Satet Temple. Elephantine Island. Egypt
Satet Temple. Dedicated to the Goddess Satet, built by Tuthmose III. New Kingdom. 18th Dynasty. Elephantine Island. Egypt

Parvatis Austerities
Parvati (Uma) is unable to distract Shiva from his contemplation by her beauty. She turns to asceticism, immersing herself in icy pools & wins his love

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"Sati: A Controversial Hindu Custom of Widow Sacrifice" Sati, a deeply rooted Hindu custom, was once practiced in ancient India. This tradition involved the self-immolation or burial alive of widows alongside their deceased husbands. The origins of this practice can be traced back to Satet Temple on Elephantine Island in Egypt. Engravings from "Around the World in Eighty Days" depict a Gentoo woman partaking in Sati, showcasing its prevalence across different cultures. However, it was an Indian widow who became synonymous with this ritualistic act as she willingly burned to death with her husband's body. Intriguingly captured by an unknown artist around 1865-75, Shiva is portrayed carrying the corpse of Sati. This image highlights the religious significance associated with Sati and its connection to deities like Shiva. The suppression of this controversial custom is evident through historical records such as "Preparations for a Suttee" (1908) and "The favourite wife of Afzul Khan preparing for suttee" (1847). These depictions shed light on how society gradually began condemning this practice due to ethical concerns. Notably, Bernard Picart's artwork from 1728 showcases a widow burning alongside her late husband's funeral pyre. Similarly, another piece from 1815 portrays the widow of a Brahmin committing suttee during her husband's cremation ceremony. These images reveal that sati took various forms throughout history – from being burned alive to being buried alive beside their husbands' graves. Both practices were eventually deemed illegal due to their brutal nature and violation of human rights. Today, we remember sati as an archaic tradition that has been abolished entirely. It serves as a reminder that cultural practices evolve over time and are subject to scrutiny when they clash with basic principles of humanity and equality.