Author: Philip Meadows Taylor
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 544
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171675832
Description
This book, set in 1832 in India, catalogues the spine-chilling and very real story of a thug, not to sensationalize it, but with the purpose of arousing public opinion against the existence of such a heinous and criminal system.
These confessions is a tale of crime and retribution. Set in 1832, the story lays bare the practices of the 'Thugs', or deceivers as they were called, who lived in boats and used to murder those passengers whom they were able to entice into their company in their voyages up and down the rivers. 'Thuggee' was found to be in active practice all over India.
From the foot of the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, from Kutch to Assam, there was hardly a province in the whole of India where 'Thuggee' had not been practiced. These ruthless and remorseless assassins snuffed out thousands of innocent lives. Some of the 'Thugs' who had been seized were allowed life on condition of denouncing their associates, and among others Feringhea, a leader of great notoriety.
Contents
CHAPTER 1
The Thug’s introduction to the reader, and an event in his history which determines his future career
CHAPTER 2
In which it will appear that Ameer Ali’s curiosity is violently excited
CHAPTER 3
In which Ameer Ali displays his bravery at a tiger hunt
CHAPTER 4
Recounts the initiation of Ammer Ali in Thugge, and the Commencement of the old Thug’s tale
CHAPTER 5
Wherein the old Thug ends his tale
CHAPTER 6
In which the reader will be informed how Ameer Ali killed his first man
CHAPTER 7
A new adventure, which proves an unusual prelude to an evening’s entertainment
CHAPTER 8
Wherein the reader will be informed how Ameer Ali passed the evening
CHAPTER 9
In which Ameer Ali proves himself an excellent hand at making a bargain, and that his amour has a chance of success
CHAPTER 10
Continuation of Ameer Ali’s adventure
CHAPTER 11
In which the victim falls into the trap
CHAPTER 12
Showing how justice is often summarily dispensed
CHAPTER 13
How Kumal Khan’s head was cut off, and stuck up near the gate of the town
CHAPTER 14
How Ameer Ali arrived at Hyderabad
CHAPTER 15
Setting forth how Ameer Ali spends the ninth night of the Mohurum, and how he loses his mistress
CHAPTER 16
Bhudrinath recounts his adventures. The Dullah finds to his cost that a bargain is often easy to make and easy to break
CHAPTER 17
Shows how the Dullah and Fakeer meet their reward
CHAPTER 18
Showing how Surfuraz Khan and his party got into a scrape, and how they were extricated therefrom
CHAPTER 19
In which the reader will perceive that Ameer Ali passed a busy afternoon
CHAPTER 20
Ameer Ali engages in another amour
CHAPTER 21
How Ameer Ali bides tryst, and is not disappointed
CHAPTER 22
In which Ameer Ali takes to himself a wife
CHAPTER 23
The reader is introduced to Subzee Khan
CHAPTER 24
In which Subzee Khan meets his fate
CHAPTER 25
Gives a description of Ameer Ali
CHAPTER 26
Ameer Ali starts on a new expedition: the adventures he meets with
CHAPTER 27
How Ameer Ali played at the old game of Fox-and Goose, and won it
CHAPTER 28
Further adventures
CHAPTER 29
In which it is clearly shown how hard it is to stop when the devil drives
CHAPTER 30
How Ameer Ali was tempted, but resisted
CHAPTER 31
Showing how Ameer Ali played a deep game for a large stake, and won it
CHAPTER 32
Tells why Ameer Ali joined the Pindharees
CHAPTER 33
How Ameer Ali conducted himself in his debut as a Pindharee, and how the Sahoukars of Oomraotee received their unwelcome visitors
CHAPTER 34
Continues the adventures of Ameer Ali as a Pindharee
CHAPTER 35
Relates how, encouraged by his success, Chetoo plans another expedition on a larger scale, and how Ameer Ali joined it
CHAPTER 36
Shows what happened on the expedition
CHAPTER 37
In which Guffoor Khan ends his career
CHAPTER 38
Shows how the Thugs were discovered to the Pindhareas
CHAPTER 39
In which Ameer Ali makes the acquaintance of Soobhan Khan
CHAPTER 40
Narrayum Das falls into the snare, and is murdered and robbed
CHAPTER 41
Ganesha and Ameer Ali quarrel
CHAPTER 42
In which Ameer Ali acquires an amulet
CHAPTER 43
Shows how an error was detected in astrological calculations
CHAPTER 44
Relates the execution of Ameer Ali’s adoptive father
CHAPTER 45
Shows how Ameer Ali was branded and sent adrift
CHAPTER 46
In which, after various adventures, Ameer Ali is taken and imprisoned
CHAPTER 47
Shows it is easier to get in than out of prison
CHAPTER 48
How Ameer Ali proceeds to his fate
Conclusion