Word: singhs
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...Indian policemen had temporarily abandoned their attempts to capture Man Singh, the most successful bandit leader of modern Indian history (TIME, July 19). But deep in the lush northern Indian jungles, protected by the monsoon rains, superstitious Bandit Man Singh was still going strong last week. He had prepared a sacrifice to the goddess Kali; tied to stakes before a stone idol were two terrified Indian policemen. While dacoits, members of Man Singh's band of robbers, chanted hymns, a priest reverently bathed the idol's feet, then sprinkled water from the same pitcher on the victims...
Then came the signal to fire. But just as three of the dacoits aimed their rifles at the victims, one of the bound policemen sneezed, distracting the firing detail so much that all the shots missed. Worried by this bad-luck omen, Man Singh strode to the staked men and demanded: "To which caste do you belong?" Protested the policemen: "We are Moslems!" This explained everything. Kali desired no Moslem sacrifices-only Hindus. Man Singh untied the prisoners, sternly bade them go. Thankfully the policemen stumbled into the jungle and made their way back to their post...
...late years, Man Singh has returned to his old preoccupation with religious matters. He used much of his ill-won gains to erect temples in the valleys of Chambal and Betwa, to the goddess Kali and to Siva, the lord of destruction. He began appearing in the saffron robe of a priest, usually carrying prayer beads. But in one respect he remained relentless: he had vowed to kill every male member of the hated Brahman priest's family, and kill them he did, one by one, even though they tried to escape by going 650 miles away to Bombay...
Three weeks ago, as the 4,000-odd policemen assigned to track him down were combing the wild hills in a desperate last attempt to bring him to justice, Man Singh's men made a swift raid on a village and shot dead the Brahman priest's only surviving relative. At last the dacoit had fulfilled his vow to Kali...
Last week as the monsoon began blowing through India to make the jungle tracks impassable to all but panthers and dacoits, the 18-year hunt was once again suspended and the 4,000 policemen called off. In the hills of northern India, Man Singh, terror of kings and favored of Kali, still reigned supreme...