Thuggee

Thuggee (or tuggee) (from the Sanskrit root sthag (P?li, thak), to conceal, mainly applied to fraudulent concealment) was an Indian cult sometimes described as the world's first mafia, operating from the 13th to the 19th centuries, worshipping Kali whose members were known as Thugs. This is where the term thug originated, as many Indian words passed into common English during British occupation of India.

British destruction of the cult

Thuggee was suppressed by the British rulers of India in the 1830s, due largely to the efforts of William Sleeman, who started an extensive campaign involving profiling, intelligence, and executions. A police organisation known as the Thuggee and Dacoity Department was established within the Government of India and remained in existence until 1904 when it was replaced by the Central Criminal Intelligence Department. The defeat of the Thugs played a part in securing Indian loyalty to the British Raj.

Related Topics:
British - India - William Sleeman - Dacoity - 1904 - British Raj

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to the Guinness Book of Records the Thuggee cult was responsible for approximately 2,000,000 deaths. Gang leader Behram (or Burham) has often been considered to be the world's most prolific serial killer with 931 killings between 1790 and 1830 being attributed to him. Reference to contemporary manuscript sources, however, shows that Behram actually gave inconsistent statements regarding the number of murders he had committed, and that while he did state that he had "been present at" more than 930 killings committed by his gang of 25-50 men, elsewhere he admitted that he had personally strangled no more than 125 people. Having turned King's Evidence and agreed to inform on his former companions, furthermore, Behram never stood trial for any of the killings attributed to him, the total of which must thus remain a matter of dispute .

Related Topics:
Guinness Book of Records - Behram - Serial killer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~