Role of Thuggee in the Indian Mutiny

[Bullyboy]

I realise they were supressed in the 1830sish - but did they have a role to play in the mutiny?

[L. Braden]

No -- not that I'm aware of, and I've read just about all that's ever been published about the Mutiny. And its imaginary later appearance in such large numbers is one of the things that makes the movie "Gunga Din" so ridiculous, historically improbable, and to some extent insulting to those who know better. Sure, it's just a movie; but unfortunately, all that most people seem to know about history is what Hollyweird feeds them. And as "just a movie", what's objectionable about GD as a so-called historical-adventure film is that it is slapstick comedy imposed upon serious drama, which is an artistically incongruous combo, to say nothing of its falsification of the facts for comedic/dramatic effect and those non-Indian actors in unrealistic and caricaturish BLACKFACE. And yet it gets 4 stars from clueless critics! Furthermore, it should be noted that it was a typical Hollywood hodgepodge that went through several versions and screenwriters, first being set during the Mutiny and then on the NW Frontier of the 1880s/90s, until those responsible for this travesty or farce finally decided that they had got it right!

[Matt Easton]

Hehe, thanks for that info - I like Gunga Din as a mindless romp, but this background info is pretty interesting! There isn't any connection between the poem and either the Mutiny or the Thuggee cult of course.

[L. Braden]

Yo, Matt!
I noted in an earlier post that the movie was banned in India for its racist overtones; and for the same reason, Kipling's widow (an American) forced the studio to remove the scenes in which an actor portrayed her late husband. These were, of course, restored after her death; but I suspect that K. would have enjoyed the movie anyway--he was that whimsical! However, although he was a so-called "imperialist", I don't believe that he was the "racist" that present-day revisionists accuse him of having been. Certain of his writings, such as "Kim", belie that assumption. (Even "Gunga Din"; e.g., "You're a better man than I am!")
Cheers!

[Matt Easton]

Yes, I think trying to apply modern labels to people of past times is fairly pointless anyway. As you say, Kipling's stories are generally very pro-Indian, ESPECIALLY for their time.
Regards,
Matt