Who declared ‘Sati Pratha’ illegal?
- AWarren Hastings
- BWilliam Bentinck
- CCornwallis
- DCurzon
- ENone of the above/More than one of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) William Bentinck
Explanation
Lord William Bentinck, who became Governor-General in 1828, declared Sati illegal and punishable by the Bengal Sati Regulation (Regulation XVII) of 4 December 1829. The ban first applied to the Bengal Presidency and was extended to the Madras and Bombay Presidencies in 1830. Raja Rammohan Roy had campaigned against the practice for years and supported the law. Therefore, option (b) is correct.