The Bengal Sati Regulation Act of 1829, which banned the practice of Sati, was enacted due to the efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and other reformers, who campaigned against the practice, and the support of Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India.
Sati was the practice of the immolation of a Hindu woman on the death of her husband in his funeral pyre. Although this practice does not have any Vedic sanction, it had become prevalent in some parts of India.
The widow was supposed to ascend to heaven and this was considered the ultimate sacrifice and proof of a woman’s devotion to her husband.
Many cases of Sati were voluntary whereas some were forced.
