The abolition of "Sati" by government regulation was at the time of?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

Explanation

The abolition of the practice of Sati was a landmark social reform during the British rule in India.
Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835, passed the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, making the practice illegal.
This historic decision was heavily influenced by the tireless campaigns of Indian social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
The regulation declared Sati to be culpable homicide, punishable by law.

Option A: Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal, but his tenure (1773–1785) was much earlier than the abolition of Sati.
Option B: Lord Wellesley's tenure (1798–1805) is primarily known for his expansionist policy of the Subsidiary Alliance system, not for social reforms like the abolition of Sati.
Option C: Lord Amherst was the Governor-General just before Lord Bentinck (1823–1828). His term is mainly associated with the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Visual 1: Portrait - A portrait of Lord William Bentinck to help students associate the name with the historical figure responsible for the reform.
Visual 2: Infographic - A timeline of major social reforms in 19th-century India, placing the abolition of Sati in context with other key events like the legalisation of widow remarriage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian History: Social Reforms during the British Raj as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a non-nursing question. However, understanding major historical social reforms is part of a well-rounded education for any professional, including nurses.
It provides context for the evolution of law, ethics, and human rights in India, which are foundational principles in healthcare.
What if? - If the question had asked about the legalisation of widow remarriage, the correct answer would be Lord Canning. He passed the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856, largely due to the efforts of another great social reformer, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on modern Indian history.
First, identify the key event mentioned in the question: the 'abolition of Sati'.
Next, try to recall the specific Governor-General associated with this major social reform.
Scan the options provided: Warren Hastings, Lord Wellesley, Lord Amherst, and Lord Bentinck.
The abolition of Sati in 1829 is one of the most famous acts associated with Lord William Bentinck's tenure.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their primary historical significance (e.g., Wellesley and Subsidiary Alliance), which are different from the abolition of Sati.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QSWh7MxhZoErnprGu7KKHi

Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.