Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-05-11
MASCELLA ".
From The Political Arena.
THE THUGS OF INDIA.

| here are but few OF our readers we
venture to assert, that have ever heard of
tue Thugs" and yet. under this appel
lation, does thereexist the most extraor-
binary, extended and atrocious associa-
ton, that ever figured in the annals OF the
human race. lis existence, until lately.
was matter of conjecture and suspicion
only on the part OF the British authori-
ties III lndia-it is now established by
Judicial investigation. The last Edinburg
Review contains long and deeply inter
esting account of the institution, of
which we shall give very brief abstract.
The Thugs" constitute fraternity
OF secret murderers, numbering many
thousands, and scattered over the whole
of India. Ii has existed from remote
antiquity. and has tlourished under Hin
du. Mahomedan and British rule, aud
yet strange to say, until few years ago,
It's constitution, nay its very being, seems
to have been unknown to the most Wig
liant iunctionaries of the British Govern
meht. 1t aspires TO the character OF a
religious sect, and the murders are COM
mItted under certain forms, and with all
the Solemnities OF religious worship, and
are considered, by the perpetrators, not
only as harmless, but as sacred rites, the
neglect to perform which would be sim
iui. 10 the Thug, therefore, murder is
all act OF religion, just as much so as the
practice OF charity Is to Christian. The
divinity they worship is called Dsvey.
They believe in auspices, and are divid-
cd into two classes, the 'Burkns,' or per-
sons fully Initiated, and the Kurboolss,
or Noyices.
They murder by s.rangulation entire
ly, having horror of shedding blood
They rob their victims and bury the
bodies as an act Of duty. Divided into
parties OF from ten to one or two hundred,
assuming various DISCUSSES, they traverse
every part of India, and when they fall
Ill with travellers, accompany them, and
ingratlatc themselves by acts Of kindness,
and, when suitable time aud place of
fer, perpetrate their designs W hist their
victims are asleep. Two Thugs are em-
ployed in every murder; and the whole
affair is conducted according to prescrib
ed forms.-ln this way, Thousands have
Notwithstanding by large numbers
at time. On one occasion FIVE HUN
DRIED were put to death at once: on an
other, sixty. The concurrent testimony
OF British officers represent the Thugs
as most mild and amiable in their man
ncrs. and, Thuggee apart, exemplary in
their morals and conduct. ConciIiaiory
department is enjoined upon them, as
necessary TO ingratiate themselves with
travellers.
| Though some efforts had been made
| for the suppression of this atrocious ban
ditti of fanatics and robbers, it was not
until 1881 that Lord WIN. BEHTIcK, tie
Governor General of India, adopted a
general vigorous system OF determination
OF this monstIouS evil. Officers were
stationed in various parts the country
a superintendent was appointed, a nun
Der OF European assistants provided and
the co operation OF the native states Sc
cured. The plan Of proceeding was
founded on the accumulation of evidence
givenby Thug apProvers. When a gang
IS seized two OF three are admitted as
kings evidence, and required to dictate
narrative of all the expeditions in which
they have ever served. From the IN
creasing mass of testimony it is hoped
that every professional Thug will soon
be known aud secured. Up to October
1888, 1862 persons had been committed
charged with Thuggee, of whom 3S2
had been hanged, aud CSC transported
or imprisoned for life.
We must refer to the article itself for
further details. 1t will repay perusal
and show human nature under new
phasis.
The Reviewer concludes as follows:
sin conclusion we venture to affirm,
that nothing hich the missionaries have
ever alleged against Hinduism is half SC
damniug as the evidence which this book
contains. We have here the extraordi-
nary spectacle of religion which is pro-
fessedIy directed to promote, not the
peace and happiness, but the destruction
OF the human race. Other religions have
had their abuses but the essence of the
religion Of Kalee is pure, uhmixed evil
She presides over system OF murder
q is represented as having made gran
OF half the human race to her volaries
the Thugs, to be slaughtered by then
according 10 certain prescribed FORMS"