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the Jabalpur School of Industry in 1836, whichSleeman had started from his own funds, inanticipation of government sanction.Plaque showing inauguration of Jabalpur School ofIndustry, founded by Sir W H SleemanTo write about Sir William Sleeman would be towrite about the Old Central Provinces, or today’sMadhya Pradesh, and earlier Sagour and Nerbuddaterritories, which had became the ‘Karam-bhoomi’of Sleeman. It would be appropriate to writeabout ‘Thuggee Sleeman’ and the Thuggee lore,by mentioning the romantic side of Sleeman’sexploits with the Thugs and their sinister style ofmurder, besides writing about the titanic task ofsuppression of the centuries old evil of Thuggeeand Dacaities. These were very systematicallyand painstakingly penned by Sleeman in his ownhand through innumerable reports and letters tothe Government of East India Company.As a Policeman, Sir Sleeman was the greatest theworld has ever seen. A Police officer who, in wordsof Sir Francis Tuker, had done:Quote “more than any man had ever done beforeand more than any man was likely to do forgenerations after he had gone.” UnquoteThough Sleeman had many feathers in his capasa soldier, a linguist, an administrator, anagriculturist, but he will be remembered mostas a police man. In hours of crisis, Sleemanwas sent by providence, not only to give a neworientation to police work, but also to foreseeand lay the foundation of the police force to meetfuture needs of the country. He, as a leader, hadexceptional qualities like the ability to gatherevidence and to educate the people, especiallythose wielding legal and political authority, toenlist the aid of good men to uproot and destroythe conspiratorial organization. He had the fullbacking of the Governor General Bentick, andloyalty of valiant sepoys and nujeebs in hisemploy, whose courage Sleeman often praised.In order to understand the full impact of Sleeman’scontribution in building and laying the foundationof the present police force in India, it is necessaryto mention, in brief, his life and career in India.His faith in prevention, detection and successfulprosecution became the hallmark of policingin India. Analytical reports of great depth, as aresult of interrogation of the Thugs and Dacoits,informers and approvers, highlighted the modusoperandi, their origin and field of operation. Thiswas the beginning of the modus operandi system,later adopted by the Police forces to detect crimes.As a result of painstaking touring of villages andinteraction with the villagers about their society,culture and problems and immediate redressalof their grievances, he created an atmosphere oftrust and confidence. The above not only showedthe way to the Reforms Commissions of 1861 and1904, but also paved the way for the creation ofa separate department to deal with special typesof organized crime. Sleeman believed that extraordinary crimes needed extra ordinary measures,and provoked the government to enact speciallaws to deal with them. His reports on the Badhakdacoits led to the enactment of Act XXX 1836and later the Criminal Tribes Act of 1878.Born in Cornwal in 1778, Sleeman had preparedhimself to become a soldier but destiny finallymade him a civil servant and a police officer. Helearnt French, German, Latin and Greek literature.He studied the campaigns of Greek and RomanEmperors and political and economic history ofthe world. Unable to acquire a Commission, hejoined the Bengal Army, in 1808, at the age of 20years. He also learned Arabic, Persian, Urdu andHindustani, and in October 1809, landed at theHoogly Harbour.Sleeman was a good shot and a good rider andon his Colonel's advice, kept away from womenand drinks. While in the Army, Sleeman missedno opportunity to mix with the villagers to know2The Indian Police Journal, October - December, 2012, Special Issue