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Foreign News
March 16, 1819
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Report from Calcutta Gazette describes a widow buried alive with her deceased husband near Calcutta, with her son treading the earth; no cries from the victim. Previous year, 26 widows burnt alive in same location.
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Full Text
IMMOLATION.
The following account of burying a woman alive with her deceased husband, is from the Calcutta Gazette, 9th July last.
"A hole being dug for the purpose, about 8 or 10 feet deep, and 3 in diameter, the bodies were placed upright therein; upon which their relations threw in the earth, and the eldest son, about 19 years of age, dancing over the bodies in the hole, and treading the earth down as it was thrown in, until it came above the heads, when a general shout closed the monstrous and horrid ceremony. No complaint or cry was uttered by the patient sufferer. The above shocking instance of the superstition and depravity, took place about 10 miles from Calcutta, and in the same place, during the preceding year, 26 widows were burnt alive with their deceased husbands."
The following account of burying a woman alive with her deceased husband, is from the Calcutta Gazette, 9th July last.
"A hole being dug for the purpose, about 8 or 10 feet deep, and 3 in diameter, the bodies were placed upright therein; upon which their relations threw in the earth, and the eldest son, about 19 years of age, dancing over the bodies in the hole, and treading the earth down as it was thrown in, until it came above the heads, when a general shout closed the monstrous and horrid ceremony. No complaint or cry was uttered by the patient sufferer. The above shocking instance of the superstition and depravity, took place about 10 miles from Calcutta, and in the same place, during the preceding year, 26 widows were burnt alive with their deceased husbands."
What sub-type of article is it?
Religious Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Immolation
Widow Buried Alive
Calcutta
Suttee
Superstition
Hindu Ritual
Where did it happen?
10 Miles From Calcutta
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
10 Miles From Calcutta
Event Date
Reported In Calcutta Gazette, 9th July Last
Outcome
woman buried alive without complaint; previous year, 26 widows burnt alive
Event Details
A hole 8-10 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter was dug; bodies placed upright; relations threw earth, eldest son (19 years) danced and trod it down until above heads; general shout ended ceremony. Shocking instance of superstition and depravity.