Ramaseeana, or a Vocabulary of the Peculiar Language used by the Thugs

SLEEMAN (Col. William Henry).

Ramaseeana, or a Vocabulary of the Peculiar Language used by the Thugs, with an Introduction and Appendix, descriptive of the System pursued by that Fraternity and of the Measures Adopted ... for its Suppression.

GRISLY DETAILS OF THE THUGS

[With:] SLEEMAN (Col. W.H.) Report on the Depredations of the Thug Gangs of Upper and Central India, from the cold season of 1836-37 down to their gradual suppression, under the operation of the measures adopted by the Supreme Government in 1839 … [And:] THORNTON (Edward). Illustrations of the History and Practices of the Thugs. And notices of some of the proceedings of the Government of India for the suppression of the crime of Thuggee …

First editions. 3 vols. Large folding map, folding table, 3 folding genealogical plates & a double page inserted table. Missing a further folding table, sometimes found at the start of Appendix B, evidently not included in all copies. 8vo. The three works uniformly bound in polished calf, backs richly gilt bearing the engraved bookplate of Thomas Macpherson Grant of Craigo. The first volume with the upper joint repaired and with other minor restoration. Calcutta, and London, 1836, 1840, 1851.

£7,500.00

SLEEMAN (Col. William Henry).

Ramaseeana, or a Vocabulary of the Peculiar Language used by the Thugs, with an Introduction and Appendix, descriptive of the System pursued by that Fraternity and of the Measures Adopted ... for its Suppression.

The vocabulary of the Thugs (Ramaseeana) occupies only a small section of the work which is, for the most part, devoted to a thorough analysis of Thugee, devotees of which depraved sect engaged in ritual murder. William Sleeman (1788-1856) outlines its dynasties, grisly rituals and secret language and appends numerous interviews with those who gave evidence for the crown. These “approvers” were held in a special gaol to protect them from their vengeful associates.

An officer in the East India Company, in 1825 he was appointed magistrate of Madhya Pradesh. In 1829 Sleeman was appointed assistant to the officer in charge of the suppression of Thugee, and in 1835 he took control of these operations. “At first Sleeman received little support in his anti-thuggee campaign, but this changed in 1835 when Lord William Bentinck became governor-general. He made Sleeman head of a commission for the suppression of thuggee and dacoity (1839–42). During the next two years Sleeman investigated and repressed criminal organizations in upper India. Between 1826 and 1840 more than 14,000 thugs were hanged, transported, or imprisoned for life. Much depended on Sleeman’s painstaking collection of evidence regarding thuggee, which included both Hindus and Muslims. Those who were taken and who agreed to talk were known as ‘approvers’. They were segregated in confinement in Jubbulpore, where they and their families were taught trades. Sleeman published Ramaseeana (1836) on the thugs, their language, and the measures against them. By 1848 thuggee had virtually ceased” (ODNB).

Mark Twain devotes two chapters of Following the Equator to Sleeman and his official report on the suppression of Thugee published by the Indian Government in 1840.

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Ramaseeana, or a Vocabulary of the Peculiar Language used by the Thugs, with an Introduction and Appendix, descriptive of the System pursued by that Fraternity and of the Measures Adopted ... for its Suppression.

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