Under whose leadership was the suppression of Thugs achieved?
- ALord Clive
- BCaptain Sleeman
- CLord Minto
- DAlexander Burnes
- ENone of the above/More than one of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) Captain Sleeman
Explanation
The British government believed that Thugs included followers of both Hindu and Muslim faiths; however, in reality, these people worshipped Kali, Durga or Bhavani and usually killed their victims as a sacrifice to the goddess. The Thugs believed that this occupation was ordained by fate, and that a person’s death was written in destiny in the same way. There were some differences of opinion on the issue of Sati, but thugs the entire public supported the government. Lord William Bentinck appointed Captain William Henry Sleeman to take action against the Thugs. He captured about 1,562 Thugs (between 1826 and 1835). Many Thugs were hanged, and the rest were transported for life. After 1837, organized Thuggee came to an end.