Ambedkar-Philosophy of Hinduism

British suppression
AMBEDKAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF HINDUISM AND CONTEMPORARY CRITIQUES
PROF. M. M. NINAN
The Thuggee cult was suppressed by the British rulers of India in the 1830s. The arrival of the British and their
development of a methodology to tackle crime meant the techniques of the Thugs had met their match. Suddenly,
the mysterious disappearances were mysteries no longer and it became clear how even large caravans could be
infiltrated by apparently small groups, that were in fact acting in concert. Once the techniques were known to all
travellers, the element of surprise was gone and the attacks became botched, until the hunters became the hunted.
Civil servant William Henry Sleeman, superintendent, 'Thuggee and Dacoity Dept.' in 1835, and later its
Commissioner in 1839.
Religion and Thuggee
Colour lithograph of Kali
Thuggee groups might be Muslim, Hindu or sometimes Sikh. The patron deity of the Thuggee was the Hindu
Goddess Kali (or Durga), whom they often called Bhavani or Bhowanee. Many Thuggees worshipped Kali but
most supporters of Kali did not practise Thuggee.
The majority of Hindu followers only seem to be related during the early periods of development through their
religious creed and staunch worship of Kali, one of the Hindu Tantric Goddesses. At a time of political unrest, with
changes from Hindu Rajput rulers to Muslim Moghul emperors and viceroys, and possibly back again, a wise group
would display allegiance to both creeds, but its ultimate loyalty was probably only to itself.
Sahib Khan, the Deccan strangler, 'knew Ram Sing Siek: he was a noted Thug leader - a very shrewd man,' who
also served with the Pindaris for a while and was responsible for the assassination of the notorious Pindari leader
Sheikh Dulloo. It is important to note here that the word "Sing" is used by various denominations among Hindus, for
example Hindu Rajput's and Thakur's use the word "Sing" as part of their name. Such usage by Hindu groups
should not be confused as Sikhs. Sikhs use the word "Singh" distinct from the word "Sing" that is used by Hindu
Groups. "
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