A review of the book 'Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse' written by Meenakshi Jain.
'Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse' is not a work on Sati per se. It does not address, in any depth, issues of the possible origins of the rite; its voluntary or mandatory nature; the role, if any, of priests or family members; or any other aspect associated with the actual practice of widow immolation. Its primary focus is the colonial debate on sati, particularly the role of Evangelicals and Baptist missionaries. It argues that sati was an exceptional act, performed by a miniscule number of Hindu widows over the centuries. Its occurrence was, however, exaggerated in the nineteenth century by Evangelicals and Baptist missionaries eager to Anglicize and Christianize India.
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Hardcover
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Hardcover
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Hardcover
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Coming up: A review of the book 'Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse' written by Dr. Meenakshi Jain.
Namaste Friends. My name is 'Shinil Subramanian Payamal' and you are listening to the Historylogy podcast.
Before I proceed, a full disclosure: This book was bought with my own money and not been provided to me by the author or publisher.
Little bit about the author:
Meenakshi Jain is a historian interested in cultural and religious developments in Indian history. In 2020, she was awarded Padma Sri by the Government of India for her contributions in the field of literature and education. Her recent publications include – Vishwanath Rises and Rises: The Story of Eternal Kashi (2024); The Hindus of Hindustan (2023); Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura (2021); Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples (2019); The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya (2017); and Rama and Ayodhya (2013).
About the book:
QUOTE
Lord Bentinck’s Regulation XVII of 1829, which declared sati a criminal offence, marked the culmination of a sustained campaign against Hinduism by British Evangelicals and missionaries anxious to Anglicize and Christianize India. The attack on Hinduism was initiated by the Evangelist, Charles Grant, an employee of the East India Company and subsequently member of the Court of Directors. In 1792, he presented his famous treatise, Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic Subjects of Great Britain. A harsh evaluation of Hindu society, it challenged the then current Orientalist policy of respecting Indian laws, religion, and customs set in motion by the Governor General, Warren Hastings. Grant argued that the introduction of the language and religion of the conquerors would be an obvious means of assimilating the conquered people to them. He was joined in his endeavours by other Evangelicals, and Baptist missionaries, who began arriving surreptitiously in Bengal from 1793.
This is not a work on Sati per se. It does not address, in any depth, issues of the possible origins of the rite; its voluntary or mandatory nature; the role, if any, of priests or family members; or any other aspect associated with the actual practice of widow immolation. Its primary focus is the colonial debate on sati, particularly the role of Evangelicals and Baptist missionaries. It argues that sati was an exceptional act, performed by a miniscule number of Hindu widows over the centuries. Its occurrence was, however, exaggerated in the nineteenth century by Evangelicals and Baptist missionaries eager to Anglicize and Christianize India.
UNQUOTE
This brilliant book stands out for its nuanced approach to understanding the sociopolitical and cultural dynamics surrounding sati. Through a thorough analysis of historical documents, missionary reports, and colonial records, Dr. Jain presents a critical narrative on how British Evangelicals and Baptist missionaries engaged with the practice and sought to influence colonial policy.
The author also explores the reactions and resistance from various Indian communities to the missionary discourse and colonial interventions. By highlighting the perspectives of Indian reformers, traditionalists, and other stakeholders, the book provides a well-rounded view of how sati was perceived and contested within Indian society itself.
Some of the things I personally found interesting:
In short, the sati issue was the most forceful created by the Evangelical-Utilitarian alliance to validate British rule in India.
"Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse" is a significant contribution to the study of colonial India, offering readers a deep and reflective look at how cultural practices were entangled with colonial ideologies and missionary agendas. Jain’s scholarly rigour and balanced approach make this book an essential read for anyone interested in the intersections of religion, colonialism, and cultural transformation.
In conclusion, Meenakshi Jain’s work provides a valuable and critical perspective on the legacy of colonialism in India, shedding light on the complex and often contentious interactions between British missionaries, colonial authorities, and Indian society. Her detailed research and thoughtful analysis make this book a significant addition to the field of colonial and postcolonial studies.
I give this book 4.5/5.
The hardcover version of this book is available for around Rs. 850/- on Amazon India and for Rs. 995/- on Flipkart. But I highly recommend that you buy the book directly from the publisher's website i.e. AryanBooks.com where it is available for only Rs. 795/-. The book is available for around $37.00 USD on Amazon USA. At the time of recording this review, the book is NOT available in Kindle and Audible format. I have given the respective buy links in the show notes. Please check them out for the latest prices.
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