Self-sacrifice in ancient India

Self-sacrifice in ancient India was a limited practice, primarily seen among upper-caste individuals. The act of self-sacrifice, known as Sati, involved widows sacrificing themselves on their husband's funeral pyres. It was not common, but there is evidence of written accounts and hero stones that depict the methods used for self-sacrifice. Hero stones were commemorative sculptures honoring individuals who had performed extraordinary acts, such as dying in battle or protecting their community. The practice of self-sacrifice was associated with specific goddesses, like Karavite, who were believed to be appeased by these sacrifices. Self-sacrifice had symbolic importance, where individuals saw it as an act of devotion and a means to join the divine in the afterlife. While self-sacrifice was practiced, there were also instances of resistance and social criticisms, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. By the early 19th century, self-sacrifice was made illegal, but there are still some extremist voices that glorify it. It is important to recognize that self-sacrifice is not unique to India and that many societies throughout history have engaged in extreme behaviors in their pursuit of connecting with the divine.