Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-03-28

hSutly Vi IuhSS sup posing biS ptlh
to besynonymous with trough, though
or 'footpad"-are acquainted with tn
true Specification of the word, o.
know that at one time the mere mention
of it caused panic among the law
abiding inhabitants of India, who wer'
fully cognizant of the horrible atrocities
committed by these conscienceless muir
! derers.
1t will not prove amiss, therefore, tC
give brief history of these robbers
who, up to 1887, overran every district
of India, committing the most detesta
BILE crimes chronicled in modern his
tory.
They were known variously as
'Thugs" or "Phansigars, but the lat
ter appellation seems the most appro-
pirate, as it fully expresses the peculiar
manner in which they carried out then
attrocious schemes.
''Phansigar" takes its origin from the
instrument with which the members of
these outlawed bands accomplish their
double crime of murder and robbery.
1t signifies ga stranger" from the word
plansi, moose, which was suddenly
thrown over the head ofeach victim, and
then, by dexterous twist, drawn about
his neck, resulting in almost immediate
strangulation. As matter of course.
the moose prevented the slightest out
cry.
The Phansigars belonged to no par
ticular caste, being recruited from the
Hindoos, Mohammedans, pariahs, or
outcasts, and even the Brahmins. In
the case of the latter they were invaria-
bly, those who had been ostraeized by
their fellows for some very cogent rea-
son, and being Stunned by all self-re-
specting members Of the other castles,
gladly joined the ranks of the "strang-
lers.
They Travelled in bands varying from
twelve TO sixty or even three hundred in
number, and invariably carried on their
bloody work at distance from any
thickly settled community.
Each company hada chief, or janaddr,
to whom was yielded the most implicit
obedience, and who directed all their
movements. Like the modern leader
of strikes, however this chief seldom
placed himself in any actual danger
Usually he acted as q spy upon the
movements Of the intended victims, and
then from q safe vantage ground planned
their destruction, without actively par
ticipating in the resultant murder. That
part of the programme was delegated TO
certain of his followers selected because
Of their fitness.
When in active service each band was
generally separated into parties consist
ing of eight or ten members, who in
turn divided into twos and threes, close
ly following each other, in order to rem
der immediate assistance should it be
required by those selected to first strike
the quarry.
They had a very perfect mode of
secret signals TO be used ON such occa-
sions, and also TO communicate with
their chief whenever or wherever he de-
sired information regarding their move
ments.
Their modes Of beguiling hapless VIC
tins into their power were both ingeni-
GUS and numerous. In the majority of
instances they assumed the garb of pill
grims, or represented themselves to be /
families removing to some remote por-
ton of the country. In order to more |
fully impress the travelerwith the SEEM /
ing truthfulness of these statements and |
give color TO their assumed characters, |
it was customary for each company to l
be accompanied by number of young 4
children. These latter were kept in ig- 4
norance of the practices of their elders, 4
and therefore were unable to betray /
them. Very often their artless prattle I
disarmed any suspicion that might have I
been reused in the mind Of the one
whose life would sooner or later pay for
felt to the greed of these human fiends.
Immediately prior to this butchery,
however, the youngsters We're invariably
to some spot where they would
not be likely to prove eliminating wit
nesses.
The robbery and murder Of lone
traveller was never done single-handed,
two Phansigars always taking part in it.
Of course, when party of four or five
was attacked it required a proportionate
number to dispatch them. If any re-
;istance was shown very rare occur
renee, so we'll drilled were the execu-
were joined by others, and
.hus the crime was quickly consumma-
led.
Generally speaking, their mode of
the murder was as follows:
When The victim was lulled into perfect
security by the means already described,
me of the parties quickly passed
loose, formed of twisted handkerchief
" strip Of thin muslin, over his head,
md drawing it deity about his neck, in
family frightened it. This being done.
IN accomplice struck the struggling VIC
i'm on the joint of his knees behind,
which caused him to fall forward. thus
this process of stIangula-
ion.
Unlike the ordinary highwaymen,
Who, if baked of their game, usually
elinquish it and lie in wait for some
me else, the strangers" would follow
heir victim or victims for weeks until
he desired opportunity presented itself.
If interrupted in their bloody work
" passer-by, they would Immediately
hrow a cloth over the corpse, and in
lulge in doleful lamentations, as though
t were that Of some beloved relative.