Thuggee was a historical criminal organization in India, primarily active from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Members, known as Thugs, were notorious for their practice of strangling travelers as a form of robbery. They often operated in groups, using deception to gain the trust of their victims before attacking. The British colonial authorities took significant measures to suppress the Thuggee cult in the early 19th century. This led to the arrest and execution of many Thugs, as well as the implementation of laws aimed at eradicating their activities. The term "Thug" has since evolved to describe a violent or criminal person.