The spelling of the word "Thuggeeism" can be explained with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as follows: /θʌɡiːɪzəm/. This word refers to the practices and beliefs of the Thuggee religion, which was an ancient Indian cult known for their secretive and violent activities. The spelling of this word follows the conventional English spelling rules, where the "gg" represents a hard "g" sound, and "ee" represents a long "e" sound. The "ism" ending indicates a belief or practice, making this word a noun.
Thuggeeism refers to the practice and ideology of the Thuggee cult, a secret criminal group that existed primarily in India for several centuries. The term derives from the word "thug," which means a violent, criminal, or murderous person. Thuggeeism is characterized by its associated rituals and modus operandi.
Thuggeeism involved a highly organized network of criminals known as Thugs, who were adept at deceiving and assassinating their victims. These Thugs were typically believed to be connected by a religious bond as they worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali. Thuggeeism involved the targeted killings and robberies of unsuspecting travelers, with an emphasis on strangulation as their preferred method of killing.
The Thuggee cult operated clandestinely and followed a strict code of conduct. Thugs would often disguise themselves as travelers or merchants to gain the trust of their potential victims. Once they had gained their trust, the Thugs would unleash a swift and deadly attack, using a rumal (a type of handkerchief) to strangle their victims.
During the British colonial era, numerous efforts were made to suppress Thuggeeism, leading to the eventual eradication of this criminal network. The Thuggee cult and the practices associated with Thuggeeism have become subjects of fascination and study in historical, criminological, and anthropological contexts.
Today, the term Thuggeeism is often used as a historical reference, highlighting this secret cult's criminal activities and the dark history of organized crime in India.
The word "Thuggeeism" is derived from the term "Thuggee", which refers to a criminal fraternity that existed in India during the 19th century. The etymology of the word "Thuggee" traces back to the Hindi word "ṭhag" (pronounced as "thag"), meaning a deceiver or a cheat. The word eventually evolved into "ṭhagī" (pronounced as "thag-ee") to describe the practices of this criminal group.
Thuggee was a secret cult of organized criminals known for their ritualistic activities, which primarily involved robbing and murdering unsuspecting victims while on highways or trains. They were infamous for their expertise in strangling their victims using a silk scarf or a handkerchief. The British colonial officials in India were the first to coin the term "Thuggee".