Jodhpur Fort: handprints of women who commited sati

Agnieszka · Dec 10th, 2008, 19:14

Hi everybody

I have a question about the handprints of wives who committed sati, that I saw in Jodhpur fort. Is it a real-size handprint? The hands seems to be very small, half a size of my palm so this is why I have doubts whether it's just a symbolic monument or a actual one to one size handprint.
Even knowing that the people were smaller ages ago than now...

thanks for the answer.
Agnieszka

dhans · Dec 10th, 2008, 22:40

Whether the handprints are real or symbolic I don't know. Given the location I'm not so sure they are for real. I do know though that Indian people even nowadays can be very very small

.

Hans

AprilFlower · Dec 11th, 2008, 00:54

I second the small comment. My mother-in-law's feet are definitely not any larger then my sister (who is American) and she is in 3rd grade. Also, Rajastan is well known for child marriages. But if they had committed sati how would anyone be able to get their handprint? My guess is that it is symbolic.

Candyji · Dec 11th, 2008, 01:58

The ones you see are carved. When the woman make them they are in red dye.

Candyji

JMurray · Apr 20th, 2009, 23:54

I noticed that too when I was in Jodhpur. It bothered me when they refered to these relief sculptures as "handprints". They are obviously not handprints, as they are protruding, not imprinted. Also they are definitely not casted from real handprints, unless all the wives had very misshapen hands with completely flat palms and very high thumbs. Also they wouldn't likely have pressed their wrist and arm into the clay, as shown on these sculptures.

delhiwala · Apr 21st, 2009, 00:12

They are symbolic.....

In Indian Villages, you can still see red colored palm prints on both sides of the door....

These are considered a deterrent to the evil spirits, as Satis were considered very powerful entities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMurray

I noticed that too when I was in Jodhpur. It bothered me when they refered to these relief sculptures as "handprints". They are obviously not handprints, as they are protruding, not imprinted

littlekrishna · Jun 3rd, 2009, 14:03

interesting video on Sati's i found on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CfBt...ch annel_page

Dec 10th, 2008, 19:14	#1
Agnieszka Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Poland Posts: 12	Jodhpur Fort: handprints of women who commited sati Hi everybody I have a question about the handprints of wives who committed sati, that I saw in Jodhpur fort. Is it a real-size handprint? The hands seems to be very small, half a size of my palm so this is why I have doubts whether it's just a symbolic monument or a actual one to one size handprint. Even knowing that the people were smaller ages ago than now... thanks for the answer. Agnieszka

Dec 10th, 2008, 22:40	#2
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,842	Whether the handprints are real or symbolic I don't know. Given the location I'm not so sure they are for real. I do know though that Indian people even nowadays can be very very small . Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal Last edited by dhans : Dec 11th, 2008 at 01:29. Reason: taipo

Dec 11th, 2008, 01:58	#4
Candyji phir bhi mera dil Hindustani hai!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Agra Posts: 87	The ones you see are carved. When the woman make them they are in red dye. Candyji __________________ Dance to the beat of a different drum.

Apr 20th, 2009, 23:54	#5
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 59	I noticed that too when I was in Jodhpur. It bothered me when they refered to these relief sculptures as "handprints". They are obviously not handprints, as they are protruding, not imprinted. Also they are definitely not casted from real handprints, unless all the wives had very misshapen hands with completely flat palms and very high thumbs. Also they wouldn't likely have pressed their wrist and arm into the clay, as shown on these sculptures. Attached Thumbnails __________________ See my India photos at http://www.h5.dion.ne.jp/~jmurray/ipage.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Dec 11th, 2008, 00:54	#3
AprilFlower Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surat, India Posts: 325	I second the small comment. My mother-in-law's feet are definitely not any larger then my sister (who is American) and she is in 3rd grade. Also, Rajastan is well known for child marriages. But if they had committed sati how would anyone be able to get their handprint? My guess is that it is symbolic.

Jun 3rd, 2009, 14:03	#7
littlekrishna Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: India Posts: 7	interesting video on Sati's i found on you tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CfBt...ch annel_page

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
SATI still today in Madhya Pradesh	Jorge Reverter	Humour - It Only Happens in India	6	Feb 23rd, 2007 10:39
Audio Tour of fort Mehrangarh in Jodhpur, Rajastan	beach	Jodhpur	4	Jun 10th, 2005 22:34