Re: Had Muslims not invaded India?
Nope. The bad practise of Sati existed before the muslim invasions but it was very localized and not a regularly practised social custom. The origin of Sati was anumarana and was not specific to the widow and practices like that existed all over the ancient world as I had said in one post.During the Islamic conquest of Indian subcontinent, sati practice increased exponentially, as rapes and abductions were commonly carried out by the Islamic invaders Sati was more common among the Kshatriya or warrior class women. Even later day smritis and puranas like the Padma purana forbids a Brahmin woman from performing Sati. Sati was also rare and almost unheard of in lower caste and tribal women. On the other hand Jauhar was invented solely due to dishonour of women at the hands of muslim invaders . This was a relatively new custom since enslavement of women as warbooty and slaves did not exist before the coming of muslims. Women of the vanquished were supposed to be treated with utmost respect . This is why Jauhar only happened when battles took place between muslims and hindus and not between hindus. Like I said, the already questionable status of women nosedived when muslims invaded India.