Each administrative setup in Delhi gave rise to new brands of criminals who created havoc in Delhi through robbery, cheating and burglary. 'Thuggee' (deceiving) originated in the early Mughal period and became a menace by the time Shahjahanabad was established. The road outside Dilli Darwaza (Delhi Gate) was notorious for the thugs who believed that their murderous acts had the divine sanction of Goddess Kali. Thugs formed a secret fraternity and the temptation of thuggee brought together people from all walks of life. In the city, it was impossible to tell who were the thugs among the civilians. Even beautiful women ('thuggeeni') used to lure travellers into guesthouses. In this walk, we will attempt to understand who the soft targets were for the thugs of Delhi, how they used to cover their crimes, how they would escape if caught, and finally, Delhi’s defence against this marauding cult.
