Description
This rare collection brings together contemporary essays and parliamentary documents from the height of the suttee controversy—one of the most contentious debates between British colonial authorities and Indian society. Compiled from 19th-century sources, it presents multiple perspectives on the burning of Hindu widows, offering students and historians direct access to primary evidence. Rather than modern interpretations, you get the actual voices of the era: policymakers, reformers, and commentators wrestling with a practice they saw as both culturally rooted and morally indefensible. Essential reading if you’re studying colonial India, women’s history, or the intersection of culture, law, and empire. At 89 pages, it’s compact yet dense with historical significance.
- Reading age: 12 years and up
- Print length: 89 pages
- Language: English
- Dimensions: 11 x 2 x 1 cm
- Publisher: Gyan Publishing House
- Publication date: 1 January 2024
- ISBN-10: 936433230X
- ISBN-13: 978-9364332309
Frequently Asked Questions
What is suttee and why was it controversial in colonial India?
Suttee (or sati) was the practice of a widow self-immolating on her husband’s funeral pyre. In the 1800s, it became a major point of conflict between British colonial authorities who wanted to ban it and traditional Hindu society defending it as sacred custom. This book presents historical documents from that heated debate.
Is this book suitable for school or college history projects?
Yes, it’s recommended for readers 12 and up, making it accessible for high school and undergraduate history courses. The primary source material and parliamentary papers make it especially valuable for students writing essays on colonial India, gender history, or British imperialism.
Who should read The Suttees’ Cry to Britain?
History enthusiasts, students of colonial studies, those researching women’s history in India, and anyone interested in understanding how social reform debates shaped modern India. It’s particularly useful for understanding the tension between cultural traditions and legal reform.
Where can I buy The Suttees’ Cry to Britain in India?
You can buy it online at The Bookish Owl with delivery across India. It’s priced at ₹150 and available in stock. Search by ISBN 978-9364332309 for quick checkout.
What makes this book different from other colonial history books?
This is a curated collection of primary sources—actual essays and parliamentary documents from the suttee controversy era—rather than a modern author’s interpretation. You’re reading firsthand arguments from people living through the debate, offering authentic historical perspective.
