THE STRANGLERS: The Cult of Thuggee and Its Overthrow in British India

by George Bruce ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 29, 1968

The ritual murderers who robbed and strangled native travelers were feared by the populace and ignored by the British until one young magistrate set out to suppress them. This is the story of William Sleeman's campaign (1828-1841) against the Thugs and their cult of Thuggee (the murderers worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali). Derived largely from Sleeman's and others' memoirs and diaries, it makes macabre and exotic reading--details of torture and murder, induction to the cult, and the long hunt for the Thug leader Feringeea conducted by Sleeman with barely 100 irregulars and informers who came to be called ""approvers."" In all, some 1500 people were convicted, and, ultimately, India was rid of the stranglers. Bruce's book, which is highly limited as a work of scholarship, does make clear that Steedman was one of the few Englishmen of the period who actually did perform a ""civilizing mission"" 'in India.

Pub Date: Jan. 29, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION