A Popular Account of Thugs and Dacoits, the Hereditary Garotters and Gang-Robbers of India

"A Popular Account of Thugs and Dacoits" by James Hutton is a historical work that explores the dark world of Thuggee and Dacoity in 19th-century India. It uncovers the heinous methods, motivations, and cultural roots of these hereditary killers and robbers. The book paints a clear picture of Thug gangs, their strict systems, and rituals while looking at Indian history's shadows. Its opening pages look into the Thugs' beginnings, following their roots to ancient times and seeing them as descendants of the Persian Sagartii. Hutton shows that while Islam first influenced the Thugs, they later took on Hindu beliefs, which led to a mixed view of Thuggee as a sacred mission from the goddess Kalee. They were highly structured; he describes how Thug gangs worked with strict rules and had detailed rituals and superstitions to excuse their actions, showing a contrast between their everyday family lives and their horrible deeds. This sets the scene for a deeper look into the Thug way of life.