Synopsis
In the early 1800s, the greatest criminal gang in history operated throughout India. Its members were inspired by religious fanatics and came from many faiths, yet they worshiped one goddess, Kali. In her name, they murdered more than one million Indian travelers—all without spilling a drop of blood. Their weapon was the handkerchief, their sacrament sugar, and the gang was supposedly eradicated by the British in the 1830s.Today, a modern-day bandit named Veerappan is India’s most-wanted man and most notorious criminal, responsible for more than one hundred murders. Some say he is a freedom fighter, others that he is a vicious killer. Still at large in the jungles of southwestern India, he avoids capture, his followers claim, by magical powers.In Children of Kali , Kevin Rushby researches these two criminal legends, both of which have been distorted and misused by those in power. As intrepid an investigator as he is an elegant writer, Rushby recounts his quest both to gain a meeting with Veerappan and to untangle the legends of the Thug Cult and the British policeman, William Sleeman, responsible for its suppression. He visits prisons and gangster hideouts, exploring the nature of crime and punishment in a country where good and evil may be as murky as the Ganges.A compelling blend of travel journalism and history, infused with Rushby’s infectious spirit and with memorable characters, Children of Kali connects past with present and reexamines the legacy of the British Raj.
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About the Author
Kevin Rushby has lived and worked in Sudan, Malaysia, Thailand and Yemen. He is now a full-time writer and author of Chasing the Mountain of Light, Eating the Flowers of Paradise, and Hunting Pirate Heaven.
Review
"- '..a thoroughly fascinating read, but it is much more than that: it's an important book and one of the best travelogues I have read in years.' Sunday Times - 'The thing Rushby's book unobtrusively captures is its (India's) endless, dizzying fascination.' Daily Telegraph - 'Children of Kali - a fine of work, full of poetic moments, which can make one distinctly uncomfortable - is especially to be welcomed.' Literary Review
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Children of Kali
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Children of Kali : Through India in Search of Bandits, the Thug Cult and the British Raj
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Little, Brown Book Group Limited, 2002
ISBN 10: 1841193933
ISBN 13: 9781841193939
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Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38581796-20
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Children of Kali : Through India in Search of Bandits, the Thug Cult and the British Raj
Published by
Little, Brown Book Group Limited, 2002
ISBN 10: 1841193933
ISBN 13: 9781841193939
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Children of Kali
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hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good Jacket. The jacket has two archive tape repairs on the inside. Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail with tracking worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging. Picture is the actual item. Seller Inventory # 299870
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Children of Kali
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Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 3682191
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Children of Kali.
Seller: Richard Roberts Bookseller., KILMARNOCK, United Kingdom
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2nd. Impression. pp. xii, 292. With 33 illustrations in colour and 1 full page map in line. A fine hardback copy in fine unclipped colour pictorial wrapper. A journey through India in search of Bandits, the Thug Cult and the British Raj. Seller Inventory # 4760
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Children of Kali
Published by
Little, Brown Book Group, United Kingdom, London, 2002
ISBN 10: 1841193933
ISBN 13: 9781841193939
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. They murdered more than a million travellers without spilling a drop of blood. They were inspired by religious fanaticism, yet came from many faiths. Their weapon was the handkerchief, their sacrament sugar, and their goddess Kali. They were the thugs. He is responsible for more than a 100 murders. He lives in the deepest jungles left in India and avoids capture, his followers claim, by magical powers. Some say he is a freedom fighter, others that he is a vicious hoodlum. He is Veerappan, India's most wanted man, and the most famous member of the modern thug cult. In this work, Kevin Rushby investigates this dark side of India. His quest to find Veerappan and the origins of thuggism takes him to prisons and gangster hideouts, probing the nature of crime and punishment in a country where the distinction between good and evil can be as murky as the Ganges. Rulers with underworld connections, politicians without scruples, bandits as social workers and heroes - all the elements of misrule are here. In towns and villages where the thugs were hunted down in the 1830s, he finds that the British view of the cult was moulded by imperialistic and orientalist needs; the truth was far less palatable (especially for the young Queen Victoria who took a keen interest). It was the religious perversions that allowed thugs to sacrifice travellers to Kali, which still exist and inspire criminals to this day. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001282666
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CHILDREN OF KALI Through India in Search of Bandits, The Thug Cult and the British Raj
Seller: Loretta Lay Books, London, United Kingdom
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Hardcover / Hardback. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Hardback. They murdered more than a million Indian travellers without spilling a drop of blood. They were inspired by religious fanaticism, yet came from many faiths. Their weapon was the handkerchief, their sacrament sugar, and their goddess Kali. They were the thugs, the greatest criminal gang in history and one supposedly exterminated by the British in the 1830s. The modern day bandit Veerappan is also responsible for many murders - more than 100. Still at large in the jungles of India, he avoids capture, his followers claim, by magical powers. Some say he is a freedom fighter, others that he is a vicious killer. He is India's most wanted man and its most notorious criminal. Two criminal legends: one ancient, one modern, but both deceptions, distorted and misused by those in power to further their own ends. The author investigates the dark side of India. His quest to uncover the reality behind Veerappan's story and that of the thugs takes him to prisons and gangster hideouts, probing the nature of crime and punishments in a country where good and evil may be as murky as the Ganges. Rulers with underworld connections, politicians without scruples, bandits as social workers and heroes - all the elements of misrule are here. Part history and part personal record, the author reveals how British India demonized millions as hereditary criminals, setting off a witch-hunt whose effects are still felt today. With thug family tree eps, Illus. in colour, + Map, Glossary, Bibliog. and Index. 292pp. lge 8vo. h/back. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. V. lightly browned edges, o/w Nr F. in G. only dw. which has a taped vertical tear from top edge to bottom edge (see image). Seller Inventory # 15102
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