Governor-General Who Abolished Sati in India

The question asks about the Governor-General responsible for ending the practice of Sati in India. Sati was a historical practice among some Hindu communities where a recently widowed woman would sacrifice herself by sitting atop her deceased husband's funeral pyre.

This practice was considered a social evil by many reformers and the British administration. Significant efforts were made to abolish it.

The Governor-General of India who is credited with outlawing Sati in 1829 was Lord William Bentinck.

Lord William Bentinck served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1828 to 1833 and then became the first Governor-General of India from 1833 to 1835. He was known for undertaking several social and administrative reforms.

The abolition of Sati was formalized through Regulation XVII of 1829. This regulation declared the practice of Sati illegal and punishable as culpable homicide.

The efforts of Indian social reformers, particularly Raja Ram Mohan Roy, were instrumental in advocating for the abolition of Sati and persuading Lord William Bentinck to take this crucial step.

Key Facts about Sati Abolition

• Practice: Sati (also spelled Suttee).
• Governor-General: Lord William Bentinck.
• Year of Abolition: 1829.
• Legislation: Regulation XVII of 1829.
• Key Reformer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Revision Table: Important Governors-General

Additional Information on Sati Abolition and Reforms

The abolition of Sati was one of the significant social reforms undertaken during Lord William Bentinck's tenure. His period is marked by a focus on social and educational reforms, influenced by the prevalent utilitarian ideas in Britain and the strong reformist movements in India.

Other reforms by Lord William Bentinck included:

• Suppression of Thuggee (a cult of robbers).
• Steps towards modern education (acceptance of Macaulay's recommendations to promote English education).
• Financial reforms to improve the company's revenue.

The movement against Sati gained momentum through the efforts of social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who founded the Brahmo Samaj. They argued against Sati on humanitarian grounds and also cited scriptural interpretations to show that it was not a mandatory practice.

The abolition of Sati was a landmark event in the history of social reform in India and marked a significant intervention by the British administration in Indian social customs.