[metmom]

I understand that in India before British influence, when a man died, his widow was burned alive on his funeral pyre and the British put a stop to that.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: I understand that in India before British influence, when a man died, his widow was burned alive on his funeral pyre

Yes, it was practiced in some Indian Communities back then. The practice is called SATI.

[Burma Jones]

As I have read it, General Sir Charles Napier ended the practice of sati when he and his troops came upon a funeral pyre being constructed. They were told, “it is our tradition that when a man dies, his widow is burned alive on her husband’s funeral pyre.” So he told the head Indian, “It is our tradition that when a man burns a woman to death, we hang him by the neck until he is dead. My men will build a gallows next to your pyre. You may carry out your tradition, then we will carry out ours.”

[blam]

"I understand that in India before British influence, when a man died, his widow was burned alive on his funeral pyre and the British put a stop to that."

I've read that in some place there that it still happens.