India is a well-known country for its distinct traditions and cultures. Most of the ritual practices in India were women suppressing ones in the past. Jauhar and Sati Pratha were two such traditions followed by Indian women ages back. When women became widows, Jauhar and Sati Pratha were practiced. Moreover, Jauhar Pratha was a choice among Rajput women. However, Sati Pratha was mandatory to practice.
Jauhar vs Sati Pratha
The main difference between Jauhar and Sati Pratha is that Rajput women used to practice Jauhar Pratha along with children. On the other hand, Sati Pratha was prevalent in pan India. Moreover, Rajput ladies would choose to sacrifice their children also. However, Sati Pratha was committed only by widows by offering herself.
In response to assaults in the mid-14th century, the women of Chitor established the Jauhar system. It was to protect the women from being raped and captured. Though it was not made mandatory, it was followed by many Rajput queens. Queens performed this Pratha when they found no hope that their kings would return from the war.
The glimpse of the Sati system was first seen during Gupta Empire. The interesting fact is that it was practiced originally in Nepal. After that, it became one of the popular customs in India. Women were forced to kill themselves on the death of their husbands. Later, a famous historian Raja Ram Mohan Roy abolished this brutal system.
Comparison Table Between Jauhar and Sati Pratha
What is Jauhar Pratha?
Jauhar is a Sanskrit word that refers to a place where humans are burnt alive. It is how Jauhar Pratha got its name. Many centuries ago, when kings went to war and if they got defeated or killed in the war.
Their wives, daughters, maids, and other females of their kingdom faced many serious issues ( slavery, rape, and capturing). In short, if the king of any kingdom was captured and killed, then women’s life was hell after that.
Royal Rajput women were irritated with this treatment. Moreover, during the 1400s, kingdoms attacked brutally on Rajasthan region, that time, Chittor’s women felt helpless and jumped into the Jauhar to protect their respect. It is how Jauhar Pratha took birth.
After that, distinct queens started to practice it. When the Hindus and Muslims were at war, it became crucial. Nobody made this a must-do tradition. Women practiced purposefully to avoid unfavorable situations.
If a woman wants to practice Jauhar Pratha, she must follow a specific method. It was performed at night after a woman took a ritual bath, followed by wearing a traditional outfit and jewelry. The priests chant some spells, and women finally perform this Pratha.
Although women believed that ritual would save their self-esteem, it was a brutal way of sacrifice (for women and their children).
What is Sati Pratha?
Centuries ago, women practiced the Sati Pratha system to show their affection and dedication towards their husbands. They practiced this voluntarily. However, gradually this became a Pratha and became mandatory for women.
The word Sati means a married female, and Pratha means a ritual. So, it was only performed by the married women after their husbands died. During the husband’s funeral pyre, a widow was ordered to sacrifice her life.
Traditionally when women became widow, she was considered a burden on society. It has been prevalent since the Gupta Empire period. Earlier it happened only with lower caste women, but it slowly reached the doors of higher casts.
It was performed differently in different regions. In a few areas, the widow sat or lay on the pyre of her husband. Some females walked on the pyre of their husbands.
Furthermore, in other areas, a widow and her deceased husband were confined to a cabin, which was then burned. The system, which began as a choice, has turned into a nightmare for women, who are being forced to commit suicide because they are widows.
People laid different opinions on it. Some supported, and some showed their opposition. Bengali historian Raja Ram Mohan Roy brought this brutal custom before the Britishers and requested its abolishment. Finally, with his extreme efforts, Sati Pratha was banned.
Main Differences Between Jauhar and Sati Pratha
- The Jauhar Pratha is not that old and was common among Rajputs during the 14th century. On the other hand, Sati Pratha was a very ancient system known since the third century.
- The Jauhar Pratha system did not force women to sacrifice in the fire. On the contrary, Sati Pratha was compulsory for widows.
- Some queens practiced the Jauhar Pratha system when their kingdom was conquered by a new ruler in a war by capturing or killing the previous monarch. However, women had to practice the Sati system if their husbands passed away.
- The Jauhar Pratha took place at night. However, Sati Pratha was practiced during the husband’s funeral.
- The ban on Juahar Pratha was because of king Jahangir. On the other side, the ban on Sati Pratha was laid due to the efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
Conclusion
Jauhar Pratha and Sati Pratha were two brutal practices in the past. It only demanded women ‘s sacrifice and was against feminism. Both the practices included the sacrifice of women’s life by burning alive in the fire. Both married and unmarried females practiced Jauhar Pratha. However, Sati Pratha was for widows.
Many individuals were aware of Pratha’s negative aspects and how the women were suffering. So, they raised their voices in opposition to such systems. Finally, both the Pratha’s ended with the efforts of the renowned people (Jahangir and Raja Ram Mohan Roy). Women no longer had to take their lives in this manner.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13811110490243804
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-62613-6_5