The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c9.49

c9.49

The views advocated by these writers gradually began to produce some effect on society. During the period 700-1100 a. d., Satīs became more frequent in northern India and quite common in Kashmir. The history of Kashmir during this period teems with the cases of Satīs in royal families. Kalhaṇa, the historian of the province, is surprised to find that even notoriously unchaste queens like Jayamatī, the wife of king Uchchala, should be seen immolating themselves on their husbands’ funeral pyres¹. The custom of Satī was so deep-rooted in the ruling families of Kashmir, that not only regularly married wives, but even concubines, used to follow it. Kings Kalaśa and Utkarsha were, for instance, followed both by their wives and concubines (*Rājataraṅgiṇī*, VII, 858). It seems that the principle of dying after a beloved relative was extended to relations other than the husband as well; we sometimes come across mothers, sisters and sisters-in-law burning themselves with the dead relation (*Ibid*, VI, 1380; VIII, 448; VII, 1486). Cases are also on record of ministers, servants and nurses burning themselves with their masters (*Ibid*, V. 206; VII, 481; VII, 490; VIII, 1447). This reminds us of the *harikari* custom of Japan. Kalhaṇa records the case even of a cat, which out of affection for its royal master Sussala, voluntarily threw itself on his funeral pyre (VII, 2441). In the stories of *Kathāsaritsāgara*, (which was written in *c.* 1100 a.d. in Kashmir,) the custom of Satī is quite common. Its great prevalence in the valley of Kashmir is probably due to its proximity to Central Asia, which was the home of the Scythians, among whom the custom was quite common.