The Divine Stranglers: A Story of Thugs and Thuggee Sleeman

Story in Brief Set in turbulent Central India in the early 19th century, the story revolves around an Englishman in the employ of the East India Company, his French wife from a noble Émigré family, businessmen. Policemen and a sect of Divine Murderers. The Englishman sets out to exterminate the sect, using the first ever modern scientific methods of Criminal Investigation and detection. This results in the arrest of 3,689 killers, 466 of whom are hanged and 2497 imprisoned for life. Based on Historical facts, the story takes you through early 19th century customs and practices in England, France and India. Strangulations, Famine, Epidemics, Myths, Folklore , Superstitions gel together in the story to unfold the mystique of India. The Thug Menace More than a hundred Thug gangs prowled India’s highways and annually killed about 40,000 travellers in the early 19th century. The Thugs were held together by a perversion of religion that made killing a part of worship. The gangs were knit together by a strange and bizarre regimen of life, that destroyed their victims with a combination of guile and cruelty almost unparalleled in the history of crime anywhere in the world. The Thugs had been plying their trade undetected for nearly 500 years. Major General Sir William Henry Sleeman was a man of zeal and spirit far above the ordinary and his extraordinary tenacity of purpose was in the final analysis the reason why Thuggee could be eliminated. The legal procedures of the time also helped a lot as they permitted quick and effective trials and deterrent punishment to thugs K.F.Rustomji DG BSF (One of independent India's most respectable policeman) – In the centenary issue of the Indian Police Journal –Thugs, Pindaris and Dacoits. Readers Feedback on THE DIVINE STRANGLERS It is a good read, seriously. I liked Divine Stranglers. You have thought your way into the subject so that it convinces the reader and has a period authenticity, I admire your confidence in adopting a semi-fictional approach. I like your direct no-nonsense style too. Hugh Purcell (Author and Former Managing Editor BBC) Now that I have read 'Divine Stranglers' my son, a Detective Superintendent in the London Metropolitan Police will get to read it. Ron Cassidy (Author and former Curator RGJ Museum) A masterful book about William Sleeman- all fascinating. Do come and visit us in Wales. Nicky and Johnny Rogers Great story line! The Divine Stranglers would make a really good movie, showing the dilemmas of the individual boy caught up in circumstances beyond his control. Keep trying and I will be there to support you at the premier. Colonel Dr John Richardson (RAMC) (Retired) A real gem –The Divine Stranglers. Clive Elderton (Former British Defense Advisor, BHC ,New Delhi) I very much enjoyed reading the Divine Stranglers, which I thought very well written. Professor Stephen Slemon (University of Alberta, Canada) Fascinating! I was glued to it till I finished it. You keep the tempo fast paced and exciting. It would make a wonderful film. Only Sir Richard Attenborough can do justice to make a film on your story. Darshan Lal (Director- Monsanto Holding P. Ltd), Former Director BASF India Ltd. "The Divine Stranglers" -found it absolutely fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the way you introduced the background of the different protagonists, including the sympathetic portrait of the thug Mahaveer. It was a remarkable achievement to destroy the network of Thugs. Frank Baldwin (Chairman- Battlefields Trust, U.K.) I absolutely adore your endeavour. The story succeeds in creating the mystique and highlights each character sympathetically. J Sanyal (Author- Bengalee) Your book is a Master piece! Pavani Sitaramiah (Author-Tamil & Telugu) I found your book very interesting. S. S. Dawra IAS (Former Secretary GOI) Good luck with Thuggee film project - I agree would be a fascinating project....... Phillip Geddes (Formerly BBC and Communications Advisor EU)