What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the attention of Bernier?
Bernier chose the practice of sati for detailed description as it highlighted the treatment of women as a crucial marker of difference between Western and Eastern societies. He noted that while some women seemed to embrace death cheerfully, others were forced to die.
Bernier provided a poignant description of a child sati at Lahore - a beautiful young widow who could not have been more than twelve years old. The girl appeared more dead than alive, trembled and wept bitterly as she approached the dreadful pit. She was forced by Brahmanas and an old woman toward the fatal spot, tied hand and foot to prevent escape, and burnt alive. Bernier found it difficult to repress his feelings of rage at this sight.
Explanation
The textbook context provides Bernier's observations on sati. He highlighted two contrasting aspects: some women embraced death willingly while others were forced. His most detailed account describes a child sati - a twelve-year-old widow who was clearly unwilling, weeping and trembling, yet forcibly tied and burnt alive. This emotional and detailed description was part of contemporary European debates about differences between Western and Eastern societies.