Report on the depredations committed by the Thug gangs of upper and central India, from the cold season of 1836-37, down to their gradual suppression, under the operation of the measures adopted against them by the supreme government, in the year 1839 / [Sir W.H. Sleeman].

  • Sleeman, W. H. (William Henry), Sir, 1788-1856.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the depredations committed by the Thug gangs of upper and central India, from the cold season of 1836-37, down to their gradual suppression, under the operation of the measures adopted against them by the supreme government, in the year 1839 / [Sir W.H. Sleeman]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    9. Lieut. Brown has included in his narra¬ tives of the expeditions of the Dooab gangs nearly all the murders perpetrated, within the time specified, by all those who reside in the districts situated between the Ganges and the Jumna ; but Captain Baton has not recorded in his narratives even the greater part of the murders perpetrated within that time by the gangs that resided in Oude. I may give his reason in his own words.—“Regarding the num- “ ber of men murdered within the last ten years “ in the kingdom of Oude, so far as they are “ detailed by the three approvers, Ramzan, discover very little of the history of a very extensive class of Thugs denominated Sooseeas, who, in the course of four generations, had spread themselves over all Rajpootana. We knew them, as we then knew the river Thugs of Bengal, merely by the reports of other gangs who had occasionally fallen in and served for a time with them in passing through these states towards Gozerat and the Delhi territories. The sagacity, activity and unwearying industry of this young officer soon made us acquainted with their history and pro¬ ceedings ; and by his conciliatory spirit and amiable deportment, he everywhere secured us the cordial support and co-operation of the local authorities in the duty of arresting and bringing to justice the members of this class, and those of the older gangs from the Dooab, Gwalior and Bundelcund states, who had emigrated into Rajpootana. I have never had under me an officer on whose judgment, temper and industry I could more entirely rely ; and there are few situa¬ tions in which these qualities are more essentially necessary than in that which he has filled under me. (Signed) W. H. SLEEMAN, General Superintendant. Genl. Supt's Office, ) Jubulpore, 14th May, 1838. )