| Thagi and Dakaiti Department | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1830 |
| Dissolved | October 1903 |
| Superseding agency | Department of Criminal Intelligence |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Legal jurisdiction | British India |
| Governing body | Government of India |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Child agency |
|
TheThuggee and Dacoity Department, also calledThagi and Dakaiti Department, was an organ of theEast India Company,[1] and inherited byBritish India, which was established in 1830[2] with the mission of addressingdacoity (banditry),highway robbery, and particularly theThuggee cult of robbers.
Among the department's more recognised members was ColonelWilliam Sleeman, who headed the outfit from 1835 to 1839 and is known as the man who eliminated the Thuggee.[2] In 1874,Sir Edward Bradford, 1st Baronet was made General Superintendent of the Thuggee and Dacoit Department.
According to Percy William Powlett in theGazetteer of Ulwur magazine, theMeena tribe was known as infamous marauders which put under heavy surveillance by theThuggee and Dacoity Department's agent inAlwar city.[3]
The department existed until 1904, when it was replaced by theCentral Criminal Intelligence Department.[4]