Suppression of the Thugs 

Thugs appeared to the outer world as honest traders or agriculturists. They occasionally went on pilgrimage or traveled for business or pleasure.

In reality, they organised themselves in gangs of murderers, having a dialect and signs of their own. 

They made friends with other travelers going the same way. They halted beneath the shade of trees, and suddenly threw their nooses around the necks of their victims. 

Thugs strangled them to death, rifled them of their money and goods. Soon they buried them with a speed which defied detection. 

Sometimes attractive female tempt the unwary traveler to a lonely spot, and his companion strangled him to death .

Hereditary Thug Gangs

Parents of every boy born of Thugs brought them up in what may be called the religion of the noose. 

From his cradle thugs taught their children to follow the trade of his forefathers and become blind instrument of the deity of life and death. 

At first he acted as a scout. Later, leader will allow him to handle and bury the victim. Finally tried his hand at strangling people. 

Before committing his first murder, one of the elders acted as his Guru or spiritual guide.

Guide will initiated him in the use of the noose as a solemn rite associated with the worship of the goddess Durga, Bhavani, or Kali. She represented with a noose in her hand. 

Throughout his after career they adored the goddess as a tutelar deity. They worshiped her in temples where Thugs officiated as priests. Thugs offer  her meat and strong drinks, most acceptable to female divinity.

British Suppression of Thugs

When, however, the British discovered the secret organisation, they resolved to break up the gangs and put an end to the hereditary association. 

British organised a department for the suppression of Thugs, and chiefs and princes were called upon to co-operate in the work of extermination. 

Between 1830 and 1835, they arrested two thousand Thugs, and imprisoned fifteen hundred for life, or transported beyond the seas, or publicly executed. 

Many giving evidence against their fellows and saved their lives , but spent  rest of their days in remote area to protect them from vengeance.

This prevent their return to a horrible profession which had become an hereditary instinct in Thug families. 

To this day the children or grandchildren of the old Thug gangs engage in manufacturing carpets, or working at some other useful trade, within prison walls.