Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-03-07
WIFE ON THE FUNERAL PILE.
HORRIBLE CASE AT suTrEE.

A Brahmln died short time since,
leaving young wife, aged II, and 9TH
er relatives, but no children. On the
morning after his death, the woman de-
clared her intention Of sacrificing her
self upon the funeral pile of her hus-
band. and a wealthy native haviag Of
fered to delray the expenses, prepare
tons were made ON a grand scale in a
secluded spot shout two miles from
LashkuF. sJue- WITS C:rUseu IN tire u r
bed of nuliab, and faur large posts,
eight feet high, were fixed, ON which
sort OF scafforle of dry wood was formed,
and underneath it were layers of the dri-
est wood and cow-dung sun dried, and
other lnnumeraDe materials, so as 10
burn brskly when set fire to. The pre-
pArations wete completed about IL o.
eicoS, soon after which the procession
set out One of the deceased's relatives
went first, bearing small vessel con.
tanIng fire, and was followed BY the wo-
man and others of the family, and in the
rear came the corpse borne by five men
on cearpoy. Considering the prepare
Tens which had been made, compare
lively lew natives followed the process.
sion, winch moved at slow pace. On
/ reaching the pile, the sacrifice appeared
to view the preparations made with a
look OF exultatl0D, and took her seat by
the dead body. which had been laid on
the ground at little distance, where she
remained upwards of two hours, sur
founded by a host of Brahmins of both
sexes, performing numerous ceremonies.
w hen the body Of her husband was ia
ken up and placed on the scaifold, over
which considerable quantity of straw
was strewn. and oil and ghee poured, .he
wsman having walked thrice around the
pile, mounted it apparently with some
reluctance by clambering up on the out
side, amidst the shouts Of the spectators
She touk her seat on the right, and after
short ceremony, putting her arm under
the neck OF the corpse, with much CON-
posure stretched herself beside the body,
adjusting the hair Of her head and clothes.
A considerable quantity Of wood was
HCw put over what may call the two
bodies, when tremendous shout of APP
pause rent the air. with clipping Of
hands and other tokens Of satisfaction.
About a quarter of an hour was now
spent in requisite preparations, when
torches were applied to different parts Of
the pile. No sooner did The flames arise
than the unfortunate yictim.. unable to
endure the suaocation and pain. strug-
sled vigorously to exirieate herself from
the pile. and as the flames waxed more
fierce her exertions became almost su-
peinatural. till at LAST, with tremen'
,ious spring. she landed on her ieet about
ten PAGES from the pile. and entrealed
the bystanders to save her from what she
felt was too great trial. The Brah-
mins, however. insisted on her re-moun-
ting the pile and undergoing what was
her own choice. She refused. and was
instantly cut down with sword aud
thrown upon the flaming pile. 1t so
happened that several Mussuimans OF
the Aleegolc were present. and. abhor-
ring the .nhuman acts Of the Brahmlns,
commenced upbraiding them: words and
abuse ensued, till the Moslems, enraged,
drew their swords, cut down Boozoo-
Iriah and wounded several. The multi
tude Of spectators soon dispersed, and
thus was flushed q ceremony at which