The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c9.91

c9.91

When therefore Lord William Bentick issued his famous regulation in December 1829, making the custom illegal in British India, there was not much opposition to the proposal. It undoubtedly created a stir in the orthodox community, and its journal the *Chandrikā* wrote vehemently against the step. But the appeal to the Privy Council to annual the new regulation could get only 800 signatures. The new regulation was welcomed by the enlightened Hindu public opinion, and its mouth-piece the *Kaumudī* went on defending the action of the government. A memorial was presented to the Governor-General thanking him for his humane regulation. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the Morning Star of Asiatic Renaissance, went to England and pleaded before the members of the Parliament and Privy Council that the new regulation should not be annulled. Strengthened by this advocacy, the authorities in England rejected the memorial of the pro-Satī party in 1832.