ACASA PROSLIP, which is typical of the duty of their worPasmantas differ me from the usual rites of Hindoos A Hindoo Thng of good caste is employed Lantry of the cakes called Pories, which being conin denng to the adoi, are distributed among the The Nishan is bathed and perfumed in the smoke of A mių Bensoiz, and is afterwards made over to the Nishan WalMu receives it on a piece of cloth kept for that purpose. It Juu taken out into the open felds, in the expectation of an omen king coserved. The Nishan is deposited in a convenient spot in the direction that the party intends to proceed, and certain persons are depcted to keep watch over it. There are particular birds and beasts that are locked upon by the Thugs as the revealers of omens, to whose calls and movements their attention is on this occasion particularly directed. Among these are the owl, the jay, the jackall, the ass, &c. If one of these calls out, or passes them from the right hand side, the omen is locked upon as favourable; but if from the left, it is considered unpropitious, and the project is abandoned. It is not unusual for the Thugs to look for an auspicious omen previous to committing a murder, and they are frequently deterred from carrying their intentions immediately into effect, by observing an unfavourable sign, such as smoke crossing their path when in pursuit of a victim, or the circumstance of any of the animals before mentioned calling out on their left hand side. This no doubt accounts for Thugs so often keeping company with travellers for many days previous to murdering them, although they had determined upon their sacrifice from the moment of their first joining the party. The omen is denominated Soogoon.

In the event of an expedition proving more than ordinarily successful, a Poojah is usually made to Bhowanee, and a portion of the spoil taken by the gang, is set aside for the purpose of being sent to the Pagoda before alluded to, as an offering to the goddess. Propitiatory offerings are also made, and various ceremonies performed before the Khoddee or Nishan, should the Thugs have failed in obtaining any plunder for a length of time.

In every gang of Thugs there are to be found one or more Jemadars, who appear to hold that rank not by the choice of their followers, but in consequence of their wealth and influence in their respective villages, enabling them to assemble the party. The profits of a Jemadar are of course greater than those of his followers. He receives six and a half or seven per cent. on all silver coin, and other property not hereafter specified, and then has a share of the remainder in common with the other Thugs of the party. When gold is obtained in coin or in mass, the tenth part is taken by the Jemadar previous to dividing it, and he has a tithe of all pearls, shawls, gold embroidered cloths, brass and copper pots, horses, &c. The Jemadar acts as Master of the Ceremonies when Poojah is performed, and he assigus to every Thug the particular duty he is to execute in the commission of every murder

that is determined on.

These duties are undertaken in succession

by all the Thugs of the party, and to the regularity and system that exists among them, is to be attributed the unparalleled success that has attended their proceedings.

Next to the Jemadar one of the most important personages is the Buttoat or Strangler, who carries the handkerchief with which the Thugs usually murder their victims. This implement is merely a piece of fine strong cotton cloth about a yard long. At one end a knot is made, and the cloth is slightly twisted and kept ready for use, concealed in the waistband of the person carrying it. There is no doubt but that all the Thugs are expert in the use of the handkerchief, which is called Roomal or Paloo; but if they are to be believed, only particular persons are called upon or permitted to perform the office of Strangler, when a large gang is collected. The most able bodied and alert of the number are fixed upon as Buttoats, and they become the bearers of the handkerchief only after the performance of various and often expensive ceremonies; and never without the observation of a favourable omen. The old and experienced Thugs are denominated Gooroo Bhow, and the junior Thugs make a merit of attending on them, preparing their Hookahs, shampoing their bodies and performing the most menial offices. They gradually become initiated into all the mysteries of the art of murder, and if they prove to be powerful men, the disciples of the Gooroo are promoted to be Buttoats. The Thugs say that if one of them was alone, and had never before strangled a person, he would not presume to make use of the handkerchief until he observed a favourable omen. The ceremonies with regard to the handkerchief are much the same as those described in carrying out the Nishan, the handkerchief being on this occasion substituted; an offering of rice, cocoa nut, &c. is made. When a murder is to be committed, the Buttoat usually follows the particular person he has been directed by the Jemadar to strangle, and on the preconcerted signal being given, the Roomal is seized with the knot on the left hand, the right hand being nine or ten inches further up, in which manner it is thrown over the head of the person to be strangled; the two hands are crossed as the victim falls, and such is the certainty with which the deed is done, as the Thugs themselves frequently declare, that before the body reaches the ground, the eyes usually start out of the head, and life is extinct. Should the person to be strangled prove an active man, or the Buttoat be inexpert, another Thug lays hold of the end of the handkerchief. The perfection of the art is described to be attained when several persons are simultaneously murdered, without any of them having time to utter a sound, or to become aware of the fate of their companions. Favourable opportunities are afforded for Buttoats to make their first essay in the art of strangling. When a single traveller is met with, a novice is instructed to make a trial of his skill, and the party sets off during the night, and stops, while it is still dark, to smoke, or drink water. While seated for this purpose, the Jemadar enquires what hour of night it may be, and the

Thugs immediately look up at the stars to ascertain the time; this is the preconcerted signal, and the Buttoat is immediately on the alert, and the unsuspecting traveller, on looking up at the heavens like the rest of the party, offers his neck in right position for the prepared handkerchief, and becomes an easy prey to the murderer. The Buttoat receives eight annas extra for every murder he commits, and if the plunder is great, some article is assigned him over and above the common shares. The persons intended to be murdered are distinguished by different names, according to their sect, profession, wealth, &c. A traveller having much property is called Niamud, and victims are generally entitled Bunj.

To aid the Buttoat in the perpetration of the murder, another Thug is specially appointed under the designation of Sumsooat; his business is to seize the person to be strangled by the wrists, if he be on foot; and by one of the legs if he is on horseback, and thus to pull him down. A Sumsooat 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 Bhugdurra. 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 important persons in a gang of Thugs goes by the name of Tillace. The Thugs do not always depend upon chance for obtaining plunder, or roam about in the expectation of meeting with travellers, but frequently take up their quarters in or near a large town, on some great thoroughfare, from whence they make excursions according to the information obtained by the Tillaces. These men are chosen from amongst the most smooth spoken and intelligent of their number, and their chief duty is to gain information. For this purpose they are decked out in the garb of respectable persons, whose appearance they must have the tact of putting on. They parade the bazaars of the town near which their associates are encamped, and endeavour to pick up intelligence of the intended despatch, or expected arrival of goods; information is forthwith given to the gang, who send out a party to intercept them. Enquiry is also made for any band of travellers, who may have arrived and put up in the Chowree or elsewhere. Every art is brought into practice to make acquaintance with these people. They are given to understand that the Tillace is travelling the same road, and an opportunity is taken to throw out hints regarding their danger, and the frequency of murders and robberies. An acquaintance with some of the relatives and friends of the travellers is feigned, and an invitation given to partake of the repast prepared at the place where the Tillace has put up, the convenience of which, and the superiority of the water, are abundantly praised. The result usually is, that the travellers are inveigled into joining the party of Thugs, and they are feasted and treated with every politeness and consideration, by the very wretches who are plotting their murder, and calculating the share they shall ac

quire on their division of the spoil. What must be the feelings of men who are actuated by motives so entirely opposed to their pretended civility of behaviour, it must be difficult to imagine, and I know not whether most to admire the consummate duplicity with which they contrive to conceal their purpose, or to detest the infernal apathy with which they can eat out of the same dish, and drink of the very cup that is partaken of by the victims they have fixed upon for destruction.

It is on the perfection which they have attained in the art of acting as Tillaces, that the Thugs particularly pride themselves; and it is a frequent boast with them, that it is only necessary to have an opportunity of conversing once with a traveller, to be able to mark him as a certain victim, whenever they choose to murder him.

Instances sometimes occur where a party of Thugs find their victims too numerous for them to master, while they remain in a body; but they are seldom at a loss for expedients for creating dissentions, and a consequent division of the party. But if all these arts of intrigue and cajolery fail in producing the desired result, an occasion is taken advantage of to ply the travellers with intoxicating liquors: a quarrel is brought about, and from words they proceed to blows, which ends in the dispersion of the company, who, proceeding on different roads, fall an easier prey to their remorseless destroyers.

Having enticed the travellers into the snare that has been laid for them, the next object of the Thugs is to choose a convenient spot for committing the murder; this, in the technical language current among them, is denominated a Bhal, and is usually fixed upon at a short distance from a village, on the banks of a Nullah, where the trees and underwood afford a shelter from the view of occasional passengers. The Thug who is sent forward on this duty is called a Bhilla, and having fixed on the place, he either returns to the encampment of his party, or meets them on the way to report the result of his enquiry.

If the Bhilla returns to the camp with his report, the Suggaees or grave diggers are sent out with him to prepare a grave for the interment of the persons it is intended to murder. Arrangements are previously made, so that the party, with the travellers in company, shall not arrive too soon at the Bhal. At the particular spot agreed on, the Bhilla meets the gang; a recognition takes place; the Jemadar calls out, "Bhilla Manjet," Have you cleansed out the whole? the Bhilla replies, "Manjet," on which the concerted signal is given, that serves as the death warrant of the unheeding travellers, who are forthwith strangled. While some are employed in rifling the bodies, others assist in carrying them away to the ready prepared graves. The Suggaees perform the task of burying them, and the remainder of the gang proceeds on its journey, leaving with them a certain number of Tillaces as watchmen on the look out to prevent their being disturbed. Should a casual passenger appear, a Tillace gently throws a stone among the Sug

gaees or grave diggers, who immediately desist from their work, and crouch on the ground until the danger is over. After the interment is completed, the Suggaees rejoin their party; but it is not unusual to leave one or more of the Tillaces to keep watch to prevent the bodies being dug up by beasts of prey; or if a discovery should be made by the village people, to give instant information to their companions, that they may have the opportunity of getting out of the way.

But it often happens that the arrangements and precautions above mentioned cannot be entered into, and that travellers are met with on the road, who are hastily murdered, and as hastily interred. In these cases, if the opportunity is afforded them, the Thugs always leave some one to keep watch at the place; and rather than run the risk of discovery by the bodies being dug up by wild animals, they will return and re-inter them. If the ground is stony, they never touch the corpse; but if the soil is of such a nature as to render it probable that the bodies in swelling will burst the graves, they transfix them with their spears or knives, which effectually prevents it.

When the Thugs choose to strangle their victims in some more exposed situation, as in a garden near a village, where they may have put up for the night, they resort to further precautions to prevent discovery. The grave is on this occasion prepared on the spot, after the murder has been committed, and the corpses having been deposited therein, the superfluous soil is carried away in bundles, and thrown into the neighbouring fields. The place is watered and beaten down with sticks; it is then plaistered over with cow-dung, and Choolahs or fire-places for cooking are made on the spot. If the party find it necessary to decamp, they light fires in the Choolahs, that they may have the appearance of having been used to cook there. Should they determine on staying, they use these Choolahs for cooking their food on the succeeding day, having few qualms of conscience to prevent their enjoying the viands prepared on a spot, the associations attendant on which, might be considered too revolting to dwell upon. The parties of Thugs being often very large, they have many beasts of burden in their train, such as bullocks, and sometimes even camels; if therefore they remain at a place where they have committed a murder, and do not construct fire-places, they take the precaution of tying their cattle on the spot. The Thugs say they can always recognise the fire-places of persons of their own class, there being peculiar marks about them, made purposely to serve as directions to the next party that may pass the same way.

The Thugs always prefer burying their victims at some distance from the public road, and therefore as soon as the bodies of murdered persons have been stripped of the property found upon them, they are carried on the shoulders of the Suggaees to the spot selected for interring them. They say they are more careless about the concealment of corpses in the Nizam's country than elsewhere; for they have always been so secure from molestation, that they