The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British India and Its Dependencies Volume 24 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ...which, we know, do frequently succeed in weaning the unhappy females from their design. The ignorance, and consequent weakness of the Hindoo females are well known: it is the recorded opinion of the Court of Nizamut Adawlut, in their letter to the Supreme Government dated June 5, 1805, f that the consent of women to the act can seldom be regarded as voluntary, owing to the facility with which they are swayed by others. The testimony of a Bengalee, expressed in a curious letter, which may be seen in our Journal for July 1826, i is decidedly in favour of such a species of interference as we refer to. The writer, Muddenmohun Mullick, says, in his peculiar English: I have read Hindu laws, and there are no orders that her relations should lose caste if she do not burn, after she declares that she will do so on the death of her husband. This is the order, women that dies with the corpses of her husband without least hesitation, and without persuasion of her relation, at her own will, and with her usual discretion (j. e. in a sound state of mind) that is considered a good and holy act. Now most of the Hindus are ignorant with their own laws, and uses all their interest in persuading women to burn; therefore if Governor General gives order to remove the women from her relations at her pronouncing she will burn, and allow her to remain one day in a comfortable place with English ladys that understands the country languages, there is no doubt her mind shall be purified, and her foolish thoughts shall be removed, and will not be anxious to do such a base act as to burn with dead person. The Speech on Human Sacrifices In India, p. 41. t Pari-Papers, vol. i. p. 27. 4. Vol. xxii. p. 77 The good effects of firm nnd judicious remonstrance on the part of.