The Thugs, also known as Phansigars, were a notorious criminal group that operated in India from the 17th century to the 19th century. They were known for their unique method of strangling their victims with a piece of cloth called a rumal, and then robbing them of their possessions.

The Thugs were organized into gangs, each with a leader known as a jemadar. They traveled in groups along trade routes, pretending to be travelers or merchants in order to gain the trust of their victims. Once they had gained their trust, they would offer them food or drink laced with drugs to incapacitate them, and then strangle them.

The Thugs were active in many parts of India, but they were particularly active in the northern and central regions of the country. They were eventually brought to justice by the British East India Company, which launched a campaign against them in the early 19th century. The company employed a special police force, known as the Thuggee and Dacoity Department, to track down and apprehend the Thugs.

The Thugs were ultimately disbanded by the British authorities, and their activities were outlawed. Today, the Thugs are remembered as a dark chapter in Indian history, and their legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime.