4 December in Hindu history

Regulation XVII bans sati

Lord William Bentinck’s regulation makes sati punishable in the Bengal Presidency, after years of campaigning by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

4–7 December 1971

Battle of Longewala

About 120 soldiers of the Punjab Regiment, with no tanks of their own, held a desert post through the night against a Pakistani brigade with armour aiming for Jaisalmer.