1. Sati (Widow Burning)
One of history’s most notorious outlawed rituals, Sati involved widows being burned alive on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Rooted in certain Hindu traditions, it was seen as the ultimate act of devotion but was also a harrowing testament to the plight of women. The British colonial authorities banned Sati in 1829, recognizing its inherent cruelty. Though rare reports persist, the practice remains illegal and is condemned across modern India.
