Have you heard about the 1st mafia in the world?

CAIRO – 18 July 2022: The old term, Thuggees, refers to actions and crimes carried out by thugs.

Historically, they were an organized gang of professional killers - sometimes described as the world's premier mafia. They operated from the 13th to the 19th centuries in India.

They were famous for their ritual assassinations carried out in the name of the Hindu goddess Kali Ma, and were known as Thugs, a word that passed into the English language during the British occupation of India.

The thugs worked at night and usually surprised their victims and strangled them with a handkerchief. Using this quick and quiet method, which leaves no blood and does not require special weapons, the serial killers then robbed their victims and carefully buried them, according to Ancient-Origins.

Their crimes involved a high degree of teamwork and coordination during the infirtlation phase and at the moment of the attack. Each member of the gang had a special function, from seducing the victims with enchanted words, to acting as a guard.

Some estimates claim that the ancient serial killers were responsible for nearly 2 million deaths. However, estimates vary widely because there is no reliable source to confirm when the fatal practice first began.

This gang has the first known record as an organized group in India, unlike ordinary thieves. It dates back to around 1356 AD. 

Members of Hindu thugs worshiped the goddess of destruction and renewal Kali Ma, and this formed the basis of their actions. It is said that they believed they helped Kali Ma maintain the earthly balance between good and evil.