1336.] 



Customs and practices of the Thugs, 



further up °, in which manner it is thrown over the head of the person 

 to be strangled from behind. The two hands are crossed as the victim 

 falls; and, such is the certainty with which the act is done, as the 

 Thugs frequently declare, before the body reaches the ground., 

 the eyes usually start out of the head, and life becomes extinct* 

 Should the person to be strangled prove a powerful man, or the 

 Buttoat inexpert, another Thug lays hold of the end of the handker- 

 chief. The perfection of the art is described to be, when several per- 

 sons are simultaneously murdered, without any of them having time 

 to utter a sound, or to be aware of the fate of their companions. 



Favourable opportunities are given to the Buitoats, to make their 

 first essay in the art of strangulation. When. a single traveller is met 

 with, a novice is instructed to make a trial of his skill. The party sets 

 off during the night, and stops, while it is still dark, to drink water or 

 to smoke. While seated for this purpose the Jemadar enquires what 

 time of night it may be, and the Thugs immediately look up at the 

 stars to ascertain. This being the pre-concerted signal, the Buttoat is 

 immediately on the alert, and the unsuspecting traveller, on looking 

 up at the heavens, in common with the rest of the party, offers his 

 neck to the ready handkerchief, and becomes an easy prey to his 

 murderer. The Buttoat receives eight annas extra for every murder 

 that is committed, and, if the plunder is great, some article of value is 

 assigned to him, over and above his share. The persons intended to 

 be murdered are called by different names, according to their sect s 

 profession, wealth, &c. &c. A victim having much property is entitled 

 Mamud, and they are also called generally Easy. 



To aid the Buttoat in the perpetration of a murder, another Thug is 

 specially appointed, under the denomination of Sumsooah. His 

 business is to seize the person to be strangled by the wrists, if he be 

 on foot, and by one of his legs, if he be on horseback, and so to pull 

 him down. A Sumsooah is told off to each traveller, and he places 

 himself in a convenient situation near him, to be ready when required. 

 In the event of the traveller being mounted on horseback, a third 

 Thug assists, under the designation of Bhug duria. His business .is 

 to lay hold of the horse's bridle, and check it, as soon as the signal for 

 murder is given. 



One of the most necessary persons in a gang of Thugs, is he who 

 goes by the name of Tilldee. The Thugs do not always depend upon 

 chance for obtaining plunder, or roam about in the expectation of 

 meeting travellers, but frequently take up their quarters in, or near, a 

 large town, on some great thoroughfare, from whence they make 

 expeditions, according to the information obtained by the Tilldees, 

 These men are chosen from among the most smooth spoken and intel- 

 ligent of their number, and their chief duty is to gain information. 

 For this purpose they are decked out in the garb of respectable per- 



