The Thuggee: The History of the Thugs, the World’s First Organized Gang of Professional Assassins

by Charles River Editors

*Includes pictures *Includes accounts of the Thuggee *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents “In the reign of that sultan [about 1290], some Thugs were taken in Delhi, and a man belonging to that fraternity was the means of about a thousand being captured. But not one of these did the sultan have killed. He gave orders for them to be put into boats and to be conveyed into the lower country, to the neighbourhood of Lakhnauti, where they were to be set free. The Thugs would thus have to dwell about Lakhnauti and would not trouble the neighbourhood of Delhi any more.” – Sir H.M. Elliot, History of India To most people, the typical “thug” in this day and age lurks on a shadowy street corner, toting ready-to-sell packets of “product,” and is more often than not, packing a glinting, unlicensed pistol under his shirt. One might even describe the bully that relentlessly terrorizes peers they deem weaker as such, or perhaps a young hoodlum that ventures out in the dead of the night, tagging their initials or the insignia of their “crew” on public property, and pursuing other kinds of petty mischief. Thugs, a term used interchangeably with “gangsters” at times, are hardcore outlaws of the street, and like most criminals, tend to find strength in numbers. Thugs who have claimed hold on a certain territory are known to harass unfortunate passersby, usually walking down dimly-lit alleys unaccompanied. The most organized syndicates target vulnerable small, family-owned businesses, some so formidably powerful they hold even local authorities hostage under their thumbs. As it turns out, the Thuggee, the group that influenced this now controversial word, is far more fascinating than one could have imagined. The The History of the Thugs, the World’s First Organized Gang of Professional Assassins explores both the etiological myth and origin story of this prolific cult of murderous bandits, takes an in-depth look into its practices and their ultimate demise. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the thugs like never before.

Genres: History, Asia, Nonfiction

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2018

About the author

Charles River Editors is an independent publisher of thousands of ebooks on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple iBookstore & provider of original content for third parties.

Reviews

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

No safe way to travel

Here's your chance to learn about the thug life.

In about an hour, you can read about the Thuggee, a clan of assassins who killed travelers for fun and profit. They operated in groups and lay in wait for travelers, walked with them, gained their confidence, and strangled them, then robbing the bodies and hiding the corpses by burying them, tossing them down a well, or whatever method presented itself.

Different accounts vary as to the number of murders committed by the Thuggee, but whichever one you choose, the number is staggering.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Thuggee: The History of the Thugs, the World’s First Organized Gang of Professional Assassins
Author: Charles River Editors
Genre: History / True Crime

"The Thuggee: The History of the Thugs" by Charles River Editors provides a detailed account of one of the most notorious and fascinating criminal organizations of history. The Thugs, known as the world’s first organized gang of professional assassins, were active in India for centuries, and this book offers a concise yet insightful overview of their history, culture, and ultimate downfall.

The book is structured in an easy-to-follow narrative, moving from the origins of the Thuggee in the 13th century to the role they played in terrorizing travelers across India, before the British colonial administration launched a successful crackdown in the 19th century.

First, the book does an excellent job explaining the religious and cultural motivations behind the Thugs’ activities.
Second, it covers the methods and rituals of the Thugs, particularly their use of deception, ritualistic killings, and symbolic tools like the rumal (a handkerchief used for strangulation).
Lastly, it dives into the British efforts to dismantle the gang through police investigations, which was an early example of organized crime control.

Strengths:

The book is well-researched and provides a clear historical context, giving readers a sense of the period in which the Thugs operated.
It offers a balanced perspective, separating fact from myth, as much of what is popularly known about the Thugs has been exaggerated or fictionalized over the years.
Charles River Editors keep the content concise and accessible, making it a great starting point for those unfamiliar with the Thuggee phenomenon.

Weaknesses:

Because of its brevity, some readers might find the book lacking in-depth analysis. If you’re looking for a comprehensive or academic take on the Thugs, this book may feel too introductory.
The narrative can feel somewhat detached, as it lacks personal stories or firsthand accounts that would add more emotional weight to the subject matter.

The Thuggee also explores how the group has been portrayed in popular culture and literature, which adds an interesting dimension to the book, although it could have benefited from more detailed exploration of modern interpretations.

The final chapters highlight the decline of the Thuggee due to British colonization, where key figures were captured, and the organization was gradually dismantled. The British used the group’s violent practices to justify their imperial control of India, painting themselves as saviors. This marked the end of the Thuggee reign of terror, but also opened up discussions on colonialism and historical bias.

In conclusion, The Thuggee: The History of the Thugs is an informative and engaging read for anyone interested in true crime, Indian history, or the origins of organized crime. While it may not provide deep scholarly analysis, it offers a compelling introduction to a dark and often misunderstood chapter of history.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

[Apriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom the other day for the first time since I was little and realized that the bad guys were a real historical cult/gang/clan. Since I already had this book I figured now was a good time to read it and learn about the Thuggee.

I think it’s funny that the book mentions the movie as the place where most Westerners hear about the Thuggee for the first time. As for the history provided it seems ok. A typical CRE book. As with all of the CRE books I recommend not paying for them and using them as starting point when researching a topic and not using them as a primary source as I have found them to be wrong at times.

[Srihari Iyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an in-depth analysis on thugees. This book gives very little knowledge about their life style and way of functioning.

The book states Lord William Benedict brings down the thugees functioning to an end. But it's not even describing the way the clan of the thugees era ends.

Not worth the money l.

[David Den Boer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time of Shiva

This piece was one of the first I have ever read that told the history behind common gang teens and even Sci fi language in Star Trek with Jem Hadar and Ferengi origins.

[Anushri Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining like a bedtime story