5 Most Mysterious Ancient Groups with Unexplained Rituals

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Deriving their name from the Sanskrit word for ‘deception’ or ‘concealment,’ the Thuggees were a notorious network of criminals and assassins that plagued parts of India from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

Often roaming the vast expanse of the Indian subcontinent, they are notorious for their brutal methods, especially in murdering and robbing unsuspecting travelers. Due to their structured operations and intricate internal codes, some historians have likened the Thuggees to early organized crime syndicates, even referring to them as a precursor to modern Mafias.

While they were a loose collection of various bands, the Thuggees had shared superstitions, rituals, and beliefs, characteristics often associated with religious cults.