Pickaxes of the Thuggee

Jim McDougall · 28th December 2007, 03:55 AM

A short time ago in the 'unusual katar' thread, a five bladed katar was posted, and there was mention of the cult known as the 'thuggee'.This dreaded cult preyed upon travellers as they carried out robbing and murders according to 'ritual' and worship of the Hindu goddess Kali (to them she was known as Bhowanee). While the cults origins are vague, and extend to early times, they were little known until thier depradations caught the attention of occupying British forces about the end of the 18th century.

A primary instrument in these 'rituals' was to bury the bodies of the victim, using a ritually consecrated pickaxe, which became virtually a hallmark of this strange cult. As far as I know, none of these pickaxes have ever been seen or illustrated, and I have only vague recollection of the scene in "Gunga Din" where the British commander held an axe and pronounced that it was a 'thuggee' axe. Naturally there is little hope for even remote accuracy from a movie scene, but it certainly aroused my curiosity.

I am hoping that perhaps someone might have thoughts on what one of these carefully fashioned pickaxes might have looked like. The narratives do not tell particulars in shape or dimension, however they do detail the methods in which these were received and carried, and that a great deal of ceremony surrounded them. One item noted that seven red spots were to be placed on the axe, from 'head to point'.

Best regards,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 30th December 2007, 05:26 AM

So I continued to do some further research, and discovered some information that some might find interesting.

"...and the deep grave from which they dug them with thier sharp busy claws bore marks of the mystic pickaxe of the thuggee:.
from " A Geographical Reader" James Johonnot, 1882

Even Charles Dickens found this cult interesting, and in an article in "All the Year Round" (Feb.21,1885, p.475) wrote, "...when the pickaxe was made, great precautions were taken that no shadow might fall upon it before it had consecrated and render it useless".
"..seven crimson spots were then put on it".
Further, "...the pickaxe was a fetish, or holy thing. When buried in the earth, it would turn and point in the direction an expedition ought to take. An oath sword on it was inviolable".

In "the Thugs: The Myths of the Cult of Kali" (Dec. 11, 2007) John Walsh writes, "...the corpse would be tucked away in a rectangular grave swiftly dug with a special short handled pickaxe that all thugs carried. It is a curious thing that the same kind of pickaxe was issued to the soldiers fighting in WWI and these were used to dig the inordinately lengthy trench systems".

In further writing concerning the grandson of the British official who had suppressed the thuggee, Sir William Sleeman, it is noted that the pickaxe was shaped like an adze, five pounds in weight and seven inches in length, it had one point, was called a 'kussee' and given into the charge of the shrewdest thug in the gang. Its wooden handle was thrown away after its use, so the axe could be carried in the waistbelt.
Apparantly over seventy years after the events involving Sir William Sleeman, his grandson was involved in testing in India which resulted in the entrenching tool which ended up being issued to British forces in WWI. The article I read claims that he was unaware of the thuggee pickaxes , which seems unlikely and surprisingly coincidental, especially in that it is emphasized that the tool was remarkably similar to the thug 'kussee'.

It seems that seven inches would be a terribly small haft for a tool with which to dig effectively, and as it notes the handles were thrown away and the axes were often buried etc. perhaps this is why none seem to exist. It would seem that an implement as pronounced in the rituals of this cult might have been captured by those who infiltrated them and preserved as souveniers.

spiral · 30th December 2007, 04:56 PM

Fascinating stuff Jim!

Perhaps the 7 inch length mentioned was the head lenght not the haft though? axes are often described that way.

Seems even more likley if hafts were cut when needed? particularily if the heads were that heavy, I would think. But pure conjecture of course.

I wonder if there are any old Thuggee collections in museams in UK or India?

Spiral

spiral · 30th December 2007, 05:09 PM

Just found this picture Jim! This one looks like a claw though.

Spiral

THUGGEE CHIEF 1843
Chief of the Thugs, captured by Captain Vallancey in Arcot disguised as a traveller's escort Date: 1843

Jim McDougall · 30th December 2007, 06:24 PM

Thank you so much for responding Spiral!
Very good point on the length noted, and I wonder on the 5 pound weight as well. This seems pretty heavy, but I have surprised on the actual weight of many swords too. A rapier looks pretty light until you actually handle one!
Great picture you posted, I was looking everywhere to find any kind of an illustratiion showing the much discussed pickaxe, but couldnt find one. Well done!! and much appreciated.

I have been hoping that someone might have information on possible groupings of thuggee items, maybe the National Army Museum in London might have something. They've always been extremely helpful over the years in my constant questions on British swords.

I realize this topic will likely not bring much interest here, but I've always enjoyed going after esoteric topics, so thank you so much for joining me.

All very best regards,
Jim

Rick · 30th December 2007, 07:05 PM

You've captured my interest Jim .

Gavin Nugent · 18th June 2023, 01:30 AM

Worth a read and perhaps better keyword searches within the museum and other UK museums might turn up something

Scroll down to "Crime and paranoia in London and India".
The the period model within the article shows the murders by strangulation and the grave being dug with the picks.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibi...ting-histories

The model from 7 angles.
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec..._As1847-0630-6

Links provided as I have not read the terms of use for images.

On Kali;
https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibi...ution/timeline
Something I ponder within the notes from the museum is what Kali Symbolised post India conquest, being anti-colonial resistance.
Given the period and the "heyday" of the Thugee rising during colonial times.... Whilst only "opportunity" was targeted more than colonial occupation, does their cult and acts interplay with this resistance as much as what we already know from literature?

Not noted as Thugee but of the form in the engraving
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec...ject/A_As-9661

28th December 2007, 03:55 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Pickaxes of the Thuggee A short time ago in the 'unusual katar' thread, a five bladed katar was posted, and there was mention of the cult known as the 'thuggee'.This dreaded cult preyed upon travellers as they carried out robbing and murders according to 'ritual' and worship of the Hindu goddess Kali (to them she was known as Bhowanee). While the cults origins are vague, and extend to early times, they were little known until thier depradations caught the attention of occupying British forces about the end of the 18th century. A primary instrument in these 'rituals' was to bury the bodies of the victim, using a ritually consecrated pickaxe, which became virtually a hallmark of this strange cult. As far as I know, none of these pickaxes have ever been seen or illustrated, and I have only vague recollection of the scene in "Gunga Din" where the British commander held an axe and pronounced that it was a 'thuggee' axe. Naturally there is little hope for even remote accuracy from a movie scene, but it certainly aroused my curiosity. I am hoping that perhaps someone might have thoughts on what one of these carefully fashioned pickaxes might have looked like. The narratives do not tell particulars in shape or dimension, however they do detail the methods in which these were received and carried, and that a great deal of ceremony surrounded them. One item noted that seven red spots were to be placed on the axe, from 'head to point'. Best regards, Jim

18th June 2023, 01:30 AM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Worth a read and perhaps better keyword searches within the museum and other UK museums might turn up something Scroll down to "Crime and paranoia in London and India". The the period model within the article shows the murders by strangulation and the grave being dug with the picks. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibi...ting-histories The model from 7 angles. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec..._As1847-0630-6 Links provided as I have not read the terms of use for images. On Kali; https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibi...ution/timeline Something I ponder within the notes from the museum is what Kali Symbolised post India conquest, being anti-colonial resistance. Given the period and the "heyday" of the Thugee rising during colonial times.... Whilst only "opportunity" was targeted more than colonial occupation, does their cult and acts interplay with this resistance as much as what we already know from literature? Not noted as Thugee but of the form in the engraving https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec...ject/A_As-9661 Last edited by Gavin Nugent; 18th June 2023 at 01:49 AM.

30th December 2007, 05:26 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	So I continued to do some further research, and discovered some information that some might find interesting. "...and the deep grave from which they dug them with thier sharp busy claws bore marks of the mystic pickaxe of the thuggee:. from " A Geographical Reader" James Johonnot, 1882 Even Charles Dickens found this cult interesting, and in an article in "All the Year Round" (Feb.21,1885, p.475) wrote, "...when the pickaxe was made, great precautions were taken that no shadow might fall upon it before it had consecrated and render it useless". "..seven crimson spots were then put on it". Further, "...the pickaxe was a fetish, or holy thing. When buried in the earth, it would turn and point in the direction an expedition ought to take. An oath sword on it was inviolable". In "the Thugs: The Myths of the Cult of Kali" (Dec. 11, 2007) John Walsh writes, "...the corpse would be tucked away in a rectangular grave swiftly dug with a special short handled pickaxe that all thugs carried. It is a curious thing that the same kind of pickaxe was issued to the soldiers fighting in WWI and these were used to dig the inordinately lengthy trench systems". In further writing concerning the grandson of the British official who had suppressed the thuggee, Sir William Sleeman, it is noted that the pickaxe was shaped like an adze, five pounds in weight and seven inches in length, it had one point, was called a 'kussee' and given into the charge of the shrewdest thug in the gang. Its wooden handle was thrown away after its use, so the axe could be carried in the waistbelt. Apparantly over seventy years after the events involving Sir William Sleeman, his grandson was involved in testing in India which resulted in the entrenching tool which ended up being issued to British forces in WWI. The article I read claims that he was unaware of the thuggee pickaxes , which seems unlikely and surprisingly coincidental, especially in that it is emphasized that the tool was remarkably similar to the thug 'kussee'. It seems that seven inches would be a terribly small haft for a tool with which to dig effectively, and as it notes the handles were thrown away and the axes were often buried etc. perhaps this is why none seem to exist. It would seem that an implement as pronounced in the rituals of this cult might have been captured by those who infiltrated them and preserved as souveniers.

30th December 2007, 04:56 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Fascinating stuff Jim! Perhaps the 7 inch length mentioned was the head lenght not the haft though? axes are often described that way. Seems even more likley if hafts were cut when needed? particularily if the heads were that heavy, I would think. But pure conjecture of course. I wonder if there are any old Thuggee collections in museams in UK or India? Spiral

30th December 2007, 05:09 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Just found this picture Jim! This one looks like a claw though. Spiral THUGGEE CHIEF 1843 Chief of the Thugs, captured by Captain Vallancey in Arcot disguised as a traveller's escort Date: 1843

30th December 2007, 06:24 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Thank you so much for responding Spiral! Very good point on the length noted, and I wonder on the 5 pound weight as well. This seems pretty heavy, but I have surprised on the actual weight of many swords too. A rapier looks pretty light until you actually handle one! Great picture you posted, I was looking everywhere to find any kind of an illustratiion showing the much discussed pickaxe, but couldnt find one. Well done!! and much appreciated. I have been hoping that someone might have information on possible groupings of thuggee items, maybe the National Army Museum in London might have something. They've always been extremely helpful over the years in my constant questions on British swords. I realize this topic will likely not bring much interest here, but I've always enjoyed going after esoteric topics, so thank you so much for joining me. All very best regards, Jim

30th December 2007, 07:05 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	You've captured my interest Jim .