The practice of 'Sati' in Medieval India: An enquiry through the accounts of foreign visitors

This article explores the practice of Sati in medieval India by examining the accounts of foreign travelers like Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, François Bernier, and Niccolao Manucci. It delves into their portrayals of the ritual, emphasizing aspects such as consent, social context, and regional differences. Although these narratives offer valuable insights into the ceremonial and symbolic dimensions of Sati, they are influenced by cultural bias, misunderstandings, and exaggerations. The study contends that foreign accounts should be critically assessed alongside indigenous sources to comprehend Sati as a complex socio-cultural phenomenon rather than a uniform or universally accepted tradition.