The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c9.67

c9.67

The Maratha ruling families claimed Rajput descent and so could not remain immune from the influence of the custom. Satī, however, was rather an exception than a rule with them. When Shivaji died, only one of his wives became a Satī. The same was the case with Rajaram. The queen of Shahu was compelled to burn herself owing to the political machinations of her mother-in-law, Tarabai. There are very few other cases of Satīs recorded among the annals of the Maratha ruling families at Satara, Nagpur, Gwalior, Indore and Baroda. It is clear that the custom did not become popular among them, as it did among the Sikh princes and generals.