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Add MS 41300

Record Id:
032-002084841
Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
032-002084841
MDARK:
ark:/81055/vdc_100000000052.0x000055
LARK:
SLARK:
Format:
ISAD(G)
Reference (shelfmark):
Add MS 41300
Title:

COLLECTIONS on Thuggee and Dacoitee, by Capt. James Paton (1798- 1847), 1st Assistant to the Resident at Lucknow and Extra Assistant to the Superintendent for the Suppression of Thuggee and Dacoitee. The MS. consists mainly of copies of documents (many signed by Paton), and alterations and additions in his hand suggest that it has been partially revised with a view to publication. The chief contents are:-

(1) Lithographed map of Oudh, showing the bails or places selected by thugs for strangulation, drawn up by Paton, 1838 (reproduced by W. H. Sleeman, Report on the Depredations committed by the Thug Gangs, Calcutta, 1840, opposite p. 126; cf. also ibid., pp. xv-xvii). ff. 2b-3.

(2) Records of dialogues with 'approvers' (i.e. thugs who had turned King's evidence), taken by Paton at Lucknow; 7 Sept. 1836-19 Nov. 1837. On ff. 50-51 is a note on the thug goddess 'Bowany' [Bhawani] (coloured sketch, f. 49b). ff. 4-80.

(3) Narratives of thug expeditions in Oudh during 1829-1834, related by notorious thugs (those on ff. 127b- 170 are printed, in a different order, op. cit., pp. 126-184); 11 Oct. 1836-24 July 1837. ff. 81-170.

(4) Observations on thug gangs in Oudh (a commentary on the foregoing map, art. 1). ff. 171-178.

(5) Further narratives of thug expeditions; 14 Aug. 1837. ff. 178b-179b.

(6) Report from Paton to Sleeman, with list of thugs apprehended in Oudh; 5 Mar. 1838. Copy. ff. 180b-183b.

(7) 'The Thug Road Book': a list of murders by twenty thug 'approvers', topographically arranged; 1837. ff. 184-203.

(8) Official documents relating to trials for thuggee; 1826-1838. Copies. ff. 204b-214.

(9) Letters on dacoitee, from Paton to Sleeman; 29 Aug.-31 Oct. 1839. The second (ff. 219-220) is printed by Sleeman, Report on Budhuk alias Bagree Decoits, Calcutta, 1849, pp. 160- 161. Copies. Followed (f. 221) by instructions for the lithographed forms of questions for witnesses (see art. 10). ff. 214- 226 b.

(10) Official forms (lithographed) for recording evidence, circulars, etc., relating to thugs and dacoits. English, Hindustani, and Persian. ff. 227-247.

(11) Memorandum by Paton on the dacoits of Oudh; 25 jan. 1840. Copy ff. 248-255b.

(12) Letter from Paton to Col. James Caulfield on the measures necessary for the suppression of dacoitee; 27 Jan. 1840. Copy. ff. 256-259.

(13) Letter from Sleeman to Paton on the latter's departure from India; 26 Jan. 1840. Copy. Printed op. cit., pp. 201-202. ff. 259b-260b. Interspersed throughout the MS. are coloured drawings by native artists depicting the appearance and practices of thugs. Some miscellaneous pencil sketches, found loose in the MS., have been mounted at the end. Paper; ff.iv+271. Folio. XIX cent.The old brown calf binding bore a label 'Dialogues with Thugs and Narratives of Murderers' Expeditions. 1836(?)' (now f. i).

Scope & Content:

Captain James Paton, First Assistant to the Resident at Lucknow: Collections on thuggee and dacoitee: 19th cent.

Manners and Customs: Collections on thuggee and dacoitee in India: 19th cent.

India: Collections on Thuggee and Dacoitee, by Capt. J. Paton: circ. 1836-1840.

Art. Miscellaneous: Coloured drawings, by native artists, of Indian thugs: 19th cent.

includes:

  • f. 1 Lieutenant Charles Brown, Assistant Superintendent for the Suppression of Thuggee and Dacoitee: Letter to Capt. J. Paton: 1840.
  • ff. 2b-3 Maps and Plans: Province of Oudh, showing the bails, or places selected by thugs for strangling their victims: 1838.: Lithogr.
  • f. 21 John Spencer Login, MD; Assistant Surgeon, E India Co: Letter [to Capt. J. Paton?]: 1842.: Imperf.
  • ff. 49b-51 Bhawani, Hindu goddess; patroness of the Thugs: Note on, with sketch: 19th cent.
  • f. 204 b Major William Henry Sleeman, Major -General 1854; KCB 1856: Tabular statement of results of trials for thuggee: 1826-1838.: Copy.
  • f. 205 b William Hay Macnaghten, Baronet 1840 Secretary to the Government of India: Correspondence with Maj. W. H. Sleeman: 1838.: Copies.
  • ff. 205b, 214, 219, 220, 226, 259b Major William Henry Sleeman, Major -General 1854; KCB 1856: Correspondence with Capt. J. Paton: 1838-1840.: Copies.
  • ff. 206, 212b William Hay Macnaghten, Baronet 1840 Secretary to the Government of India: Correspondence with J. Low: 1838.: Copies.
  • ff. 206, 212b Colonel John Low, KCB 1862; General 1867; Resident at Lucknow: Correpondence with W. H. Macnaghten: 1838.: Copies.
  • f. 213 William Hay Macnaghten, Baronet 1840 Secretary to the Government of India: Letter to F. C. Smith: 1838.: Copy.

Collection Area:
Western Manuscripts
Project / Collection:
Additional Manuscripts
Hierarchy Tree:
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Hierarchy Record Ids:
032-002084841
Is part of:
not applicable
Hierarchy:
032-002084841
Container:
not applicable
Record Type (Level):
Fonds
Extent:
1 item
Digitised Content:
Languages:
English
Scripts:
Latin
Start Date:
1800
End Date:
1899
Date Range:
19th century
Era:
CE
Access:

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User Conditions:
Material Type:
Archives and Manuscripts
Legal Status:
Not Public Record(s)
Names:
Bhawani, Hindu goddess; patroness of the Thugs
Brown, Charles, Lieutenant; Assistant Superintendent for the Suppression of Thuggee and Dacoitee
Low, John, Colonel; KCB 1862; General 1867; Resident at Lucknow
Macnaghten, William Hay, Baronet 1840 Secretary to the Government of India
Paton, James, Captain; First Assistant to the Resident at Lucknow
Sleeman, William Henry, Major; Major -General 1854; KCB 1856
Places:
India, Asia