Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1837-05-04
Sa,E4sie "EEcNS.
THE Thugs OF INDIA.


There are bat few our readers. We venture to
assert thai have ever heard ot the " Things" and
vet, under this apprllaon, docs ele exist the most
atroclous association that ever figured in the annal,
OF the human race. It's existence until lately. was
matter OF conjecture aad suspicion oniy on the part
Of the British authorities in nda-- is now estah-
lshed by Judicial investigation The last Edinburc
Review contains long and deeply Interesting acc cunt
OF the institution, OF y Inch We shall give yer, brirf
abstract.
The d" Thngs' constitute fatrruity of secret
rnrdcrer~ numbering many thousands. and scatter
ed over the whole OF india. II has existed lrom re
mote antiquity, and has louflshed under Illndoo
Maomedan asd British Iuc, and yet, strange to say
until a iew Years ago, It's constitution nay lis very
beng, seems 10 hive been unknown Ia the most VI
gllaut iunr6nnares OF the British Governments Ii
a>pres TO the character of religion, sect, and the
murders committed under certain forms Al ii with
athe solemnities Of religious worship, and are con
sldered. by tue perpetrators, not only harmless.
but as sacred rites, the neglect to perform which
would be sinful. To the 'fhug, therefore murder is
an act 81 religion Just much rs the practice of
charity isto Christian. The divinity they worship
Is called DaveY. They believe in auspices. aud are
divided into two classes the Burkas OF persons iu
" initiated, aud the kurbooas or Noyiccs.
They murder by strangulation entirely, having
horror Of shedding blood. They rob their victims
and bury the bodies act of duty. Divided info
parties of from ten To tive hundred, assuming
various DISCUSSES, they traverse every part of India
aud when they fall in with travellers. accompany them
and lngratiate themselves BY acts of Kindness and
when suitable time and place offer, perpetrate their
designs, whilst their victims asleep. Two Thugs
are employed in every murder and the whole affair
rs conducted according to prescribed forms. In this
way thousand. have perished-sometimes by large
numbers AT a time. On occasion fire h,,n81 cd
were pnt to death at once on another, sixty. The
concurrent testimony OF British officers rcpl esents the
Thugs most mild and amlable in their manners
and, Thuggee apart. exemplary in their morals and
conduct ConciliaGory department is enjoined upon
them, necessary to ingraiae themselves with tray,
elers
Thong some efforts had been made for the sup
preston 0ftis atrocious bandtt of fanatic sand rob
bers. 1t was ret until 1891, that Lord WV. BEN
TIseK, the Governor General OF India adopted ge-
neral and vigorous system of determination OF this
monstrous EVIL. Officers stationed in various
paris oil the country superintendent was appoint
cd; a number OF European assistants provided and
the cooperation Of the native states secured. The
plan Of proceeding founded on the accumula-
ton of evidence given by Thug approvers. When a
gang Is seized two Oh three admitted kings ev-
dence, and required to dictate narrative of ali the
expeditions in which they have ever served From
the increasing mass Of testimony ii is hoped that eve
~ professional Thug will soon be known and secured
Up 10 October, 1885, 1863 persons had been COM
mied, charged with Thuggee, OF whom $50 had
been hanged, and $50 transported or imprisoned for
life.
We must TO the article itself for further de-
tails II will repay perusa, and show human Ma
nare ullder a phasis.