Answer in detail:

Write a paragraph on the social reforms of Lord William Bentinck.

Lord William Bentinck was a British soldier. He served our country from 1828 to 1835 as Governor General of India. He was the successor of Lord Amherst. He was also a major social reformer. Some of his greatest social reforms are mentioned below:

● ABOLITION OF SATI: One of the evil practices that prevailed in Indian society was Sati. This was a major issue existing in India. It was especially observed among the Rajputs. In this system, a woman was burnt alive on the funeral pyre of her deceased person. At times, it was voluntarily but in some cases, it was forced by relatives. It was prohibited by Lord William Bentinck and Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1829 under the Sati Prohibition. Anyone who forced a woman to do so was to be given capital punishment.

● ABOLITION OF FEMALE INFANTICIDE: This was another evil practice existing in Indian society. This was particularly observed in the Rajaputana and Kathiawar. In this practice, the children were burnt at the time of birth. The female child was burnt more often. They were considered an economic burden on the family. This was called as the female infanticide. Lord William Bentinck abolished this practice and declared it as a crime. He said anyone found involved in such kind of action would be considered as a murderer.

● SUPPRESSION OF THUGS: Thugs were a group of robbers in central India. They robbed and killed travellers. Lord William Bentinck ended this under Major Sleeman for the suppression of Thugs. They were caught and either was punished severely or killed.