*Asst. Prof., History, Govt. Degree College Jukhala, Bilaspur (H.P.)
**Research Officer, Institute of Integrated Himalayan Studies, H.P. University, Shimla-5
Online published on 12 February, 2015.
Sati tradition was a social evil associated with the women. A few instances related with this practice are also found in Mandi region of Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. There are many memorial stones and a few descriptions of sati in some books on the history of Mandi. There are mythical and religious causes behind this practice not only in Mandi but also all over India. A widow woman chooses her death willingly or by force and burns herself on the funeral pyres of her dead husband. My aim here is to research on this tradition in Mandi region and how this tradition affected the society. Also an attempt has been made to trace the connection between folk traditions and historical developments related to sati.
Barsile- Memorial stones which were constructed in the memory of those queens and other women who burnt themselves on the pyre of their dead husband, Khwasi- Caste of female entertainer, Lokgatha- folk ballad, Rakhail- mistress, Sarrade-ri-dhar- Name of a hill where a widow committed sati, Sati or Sarrada- practice of widow throwing onto her husband's funeral pyre/widow burning
