The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-12-02

The Thugs In Observation-Disclosures OF
killing and Robbery.

Thusgee, summarly defined, is, or
rather was, a profession by which, Gen.
tury after century, thousands of Indian
males, Brshmins as well as Moham-
medans, bound themselves by the most
solemn oaths, and under religious cere-
monies carried out with the sublimity
attaching of old to the Eleusinian mys-
teries, TO unite in secret societies whose
purpose il was to punish the human
race, and thus 10 merit the appreciation
of Bhowanee. by whom men and women
were adhorred. This punishment, says
Baileys Magazine, took the form OF en-
ticiug rich travellers 10 become the com
panions of armed bands Of thugs, who,
pretending 10 be merchants or soldiers
seeking service with the ni2am, or with
Holkar, Scindiah or others among the
powerful feudai princes, offered protec-
tion and companionship TO defenccless
bunneas, or traders, To sahoucars $50
wears) or bankers, to zemindars on the
road to big cities laden with rupees, bars
of silver or bills of exchange. which
they had received in payment for their
crops. Even professional robbers, or
dacoits, were followed for days and
nights by wary bodies of thugs, who at
tackled and murdered them when con-
venient spot in the road or jungle was
reached and robbed them Of their plum
der.
All this homicide was wrought by the
simple agency of silk handkerchief,
flung from behind over the head and
throat of the victim, who was instanta-
neously stranglcd and in most cases his
or her neck dislocated by the dexterous
application of the bhuttote, or stran-
gler's knuckles, under the victims ears.
One essential preliminary to the success.
ful and undeteoted preparation OF all
these countless crimes was that the lug
ghass, or grave diggers, attached TO each
band OF thugs were sent in advance by
the commanding oticer-thc organixa-
tion of these bands was strictly military
to an indicated spot some miles ahead,
in order to prepare the grave for the
victims about To be murdered. Great
skill was shown in selecting fitting
spot for the execution of the murders
and the preparation of the grave 80 that
no evidence of the crime should meet
the eye. The spot selected was often
on the edge of busby stream, where
the unconscious victim was asked to
descend from the vehicle in which he
was travelling, SO as To Tighten the load
Of the bullocks or horses which had to
climb the high bank on the othcs side.
Scarcely had the poor wretch's foot
touched the ground before the deadly
handkerchief was rounk his neck and
the foul deed was accomplished.
The burying party then ran forward,
caught up the body and carried IL To the
grave prepared for it, either among the
bushes or rocks or in the bed of tho
stream. Every member OF the murdered
mans party or escort, including women
and children, was killed simultaneously
by other bhuttotcs or strangers .Spd
within a few minutes the bodies Of all
were buried together in one long and
deep grave, into which huge rocks were
flung to prevent tho keen. scented jackas
from burrowing down and dovouring
the prey.
The murderous band Of robbers then
betook themselves once more to tsss road
after delay Of few minutes, and such
was their knowledge of the country in
which they were operating that, under
the dcxterous guidance Of their leaders,
pursuit was virtually impossible. Scouts
were continually thrown out in advance.
on the flank, or in the rear Of "Bhowa-
nees faithful children" aud such was
the skill and vigilance under which the
lives OF thousands Of rich victims were
sacrificed year after year that for cen
turies total immunity not only from pun
ishment. but even from suspicion. was
the reward accorded by Bhowanee and
her bloodthirsty husband, silva, to these
scourges OF the human race.