India: 'Thugs Strangling a Traveller', Lucknow, c.1830-1840

'Thugs' (literally 'thag', or practitioners of 'thaggi') deceived and strangled travellers: painting by an Indian artist, for Captain James Paton, Assistant to the Resident at Lucknow, 1829-1840.

Thuggee (from Hindi ṭhag ‘thief’, verb, thugna, to deceive, from Sanskrit sthaga ‘cunning’, ‘sly’, ‘fraudulent’, ‘dishonest’, ‘scoundrel') is the term for a particular kind of murder and robbery of travellers in South Asia and particularly in India.

Thuggee trace their origin to the battle of Kali against Raktabija; however, their foundation myth departs from Brahminical versions of the Puranas. Thuggee consider themselves to be children of Kali, created out of her sweat. This is similar to the way Kali was created from aggression and willingness to fight Durga.

According to some sources, especially old colonial sources, Thuggee believe they have a positive role, saving humans' lives. Without Thuggee's sacred service, Kali might destroy all human kind.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History