Thuggee Assassins of India: Real Killers or British Colonial Myth?

The Thuggee assassins of India have captivated imaginations for centuries, portrayed as a secretive, murderous cult carrying out ritual killings in the name of the Hindu goddess Kali. From the 13th to the 19th centuries, Thuggees were alleged to have roamed the Indian subcontinent, ruthlessly killing and looting their victims. But were the Thuggee assassins real, or were they a colonial myth crafted by the British to justify their control over India? Let's explore the history, practices, and suppression of the Thuggees, often regarded as the world's first mafia. Their name, derived from the Sanskrit word sthagati, meaning "concealment," reflects the covert and deadly nature of their actions.

Origins and Practices of the Thuggees
The term "Thug" passed into the English language during the British occupation of India, but its origins can be traced to the Hindi and Urdu word thag, meaning thief or swindler. Historically, Thuggees were described as a secretive religious fraternity, bound by their worship of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. Their ritualistic killings were believed to be a form of offering to the goddess, helping maintain a balance between good and evil in the world. This religious devotion and secrecy led to the Thuggees being branded as a cult by some.
Their mode of operation was distinct. Thuggees would infiltrate groups of travellers, gaining their trust before striking during the night. Their preferred method of killing was strangulation, typically using a handkerchief or noose. This quiet, bloodless method left little evidence, and they would then rob and carefully bury their victims. "The profession of a Thug, like almost every thing in India, is hereditary," noted the 1837 book Illustrations of the History and Practices of the Thugs, further suggesting the highly organised and generational nature of the group.
Each member of a Thuggee gang had a specialised role, ranging from charming travellers to act as the bait, to serving as lookouts, and ultimately, carrying out the killings. Their crimes required a high level of teamwork and coordination, especially in ensuring that their victims were dispatched without raising alarm. Despite their infamy, estimates of their death toll vary. Some claim they were responsible for as many as two million deaths, though this figure is widely debated due to the lack of concrete historical records.

Historical Records: Fact or Fiction?
The first known reference to the Thuggees as a distinct group comes from the 14th-century work of Ẓiyāʾ-ud-Dīn Baranī, who in History of Fīrūz Shāh identified them as an organised band of robbers and assassins. The group’s origins are often traced back to seven Muslim tribes, though Hindus were also involved from an early stage. This mixing of religious affiliations raises questions about the centrality of Kali worship in their practices. While some Hindu members did venerate Kali, their beliefs were not radically different from those of non-Thug Hindus. Muslim Thugs further complicate the narrative, suggesting that Thuggee activities may have been less about religious devotion and more about practical criminal enterprise.

Superstition and ritual played a significant role in Thuggee operations, fostering a sense of brotherhood among members. They had their own jargon, known as ramasi, and used secret signs to identify each other across India. Despite these markers of a closed and secretive society, the Thuggees followed certain rules. For instance, they would not kill Brahmans due to their religious purity, nor would they murder the sick, whom they saw as unworthy sacrifices. Women were also spared, as they were considered to be incarnations of Kali herself.
Suppression and British Intervention
The British took decisive action against the Thuggees in the 1830s, with the passing of the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts. These laws sought to dismantle the gang structure by offering incentives for Thugs to betray their companions and spreading awareness about their methods. British officials like William Sleeman spearheaded the crackdown, leading to the arrest and execution of many Thuggees. According to the Acts:
"It is hereby enacted, that whoever shall be proved to have belonged, either before or after the passing of this Act, to any gang of Thugs… shall be punished with imprisonment for life, with hard labour."

One of the most infamous Thug leaders was Behram, a figure whose legacy is mired in bloodshed. Behram operated in the Oudh district (modern-day Uttar Pradesh) and holds the Guinness World Record for being the most prolific murderer. Between 1790 and 1840, it is said that he strangled at least 931 victims. He was eventually captured and executed in 1840, marking the end of his brutal reign.
The suppression of the Thuggees was hailed as a victory by the British, but some scholars argue that their portrayal as a religiously motivated, murderous cult was exaggerated. Thuggee activities were likely amplified to justify British interventions and further control over India’s population. By framing the Thuggees as "born criminals" and emphasising their religious motivations, the British could claim they were bringing civilisation to a "barbaric" land.
However, pre-colonial texts and accounts suggest that the Thuggees were not a mere invention of the British. While their religious affiliations and death tolls may have been embellished, there is enough evidence to suggest that groups of robbers practising ritualistic killings did exist. The question remains how much of the Thuggee story was shaped by colonial interests.
Today, the term thug is widely used to refer to violent criminals, its roots tracing back to the Thuggee assassins of India. Though the British might have exaggerated their impact, the Thuggee legacy remains a fascinating chapter in the history of India’s criminal underworld.
So, what have we learnt?
The Thuggee assassins of India were a real, though possibly exaggerated, threat to travellers for centuries. Whether religious fanatics or opportunistic criminals, their legacy lives on in the word "thug," now used to describe violent criminals around the world. The British role in the suppression of the Thuggees further complicates the narrative, raising questions about how much of their infamy was real and how much was shaped by colonial motives.

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