Witch-hunts in India

What it is

Witch hunting in India involves the accusation, torture, and often killing of people believed to wield supernatural evil. Victims are predominantly elderly or unmarried women from lower castes and tribal groups who face social exclusion. Accusers claim these individuals use black magic to bring illness, crop failure, or death to their families. The practice remains common in remote rural areas where formal law enforcement is weak and traditional beliefs hold strong sway over community life.

Where it comes from

References to witches, known as dayans, appear in ancient Sanskrit texts, indicating a long history. However, detailed records only emerge during the colonial era. Unlike European trials with official courts, Indian hunts were often mob-driven and unofficial. The Santhal witch trials of 1792 mark one of the earliest documented instances. Colonial officials recorded thousands of deaths in the nineteenth century, noting that witch killings sometimes exceeded those from the practice of sati.

How it is done

Hunts typically follow three stages: accusation, declaration, and persecution. A local sorcerer, called a bhopa, identifies the witch after villagers report misfortune. Torture methods vary by region but include beating, flogging, burning, and stoning. Historical practices like witch-swinging involved hanging victims upside down over fire. Modern persecutions still involve severe physical abuse, sexual assault, and forced public humiliation to extract confessions or punish the accused.

Tools and materials

Accusations rely on interpreting natural events as magical attacks. Crop failures, livestock deaths, and human illnesses serve as evidence of witchcraft. Sorcerers use rituals and exorcisms to identify the culprit. Physical tools used in punishment include boiling oil, chilli paste for eyes, and open fires. These methods aim to force confession or eliminate the perceived source of evil within the community.

What it is for

Communities hunt witches to restore balance after tragedy. They believe removing the witch will stop further harm. Beyond superstition, hunts serve ulterior motives. Neighbors may accuse widows to seize their land. Men might label women who reject sexual advances as witches to isolate them. Patriarchal structures use these accusations to control assertive women and maintain social hierarchy in rural villages.

Who does it

Local spiritual leaders, known as bohpas or bahgats, act as accusers. They are consulted when misfortunes occur and declare who is responsible. These figures often hold significant influence in village life. While men can be accused, most victims are women. The hunters are usually respected community members whose authority allows them to incite mob violence against marginalized individuals without immediate legal consequence.

Peoples and places

The practice is widespread across India, particularly in Jharkhand, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Tribal communities in these regions are disproportionately affected due to poverty and isolation. During the Santhal Rebellion of 1855 and the Indian Rebellion of 1857, witch hunts surged as acts of political resistance. Rebels killed suspected witches to consolidate power and express hostility toward British colonial rule, viewing them as symbols of foreign oppression.

What people believe

Belief in witchcraft stems from a lack of scientific understanding and healthcare. In areas with poor education, unexplained deaths and diseases are attributed to malicious magic. Communities view witches as agents of chaos who disrupt social harmony. This worldview justifies extreme violence as a necessary purification. The belief system is deeply embedded in tribal societies, making it resistant to external legal bans or educational interventions.

When it is done

Accusations often follow crises such as sudden deaths, serious illnesses, or harvest failures. There are no specific calendar dates for hunts; they occur whenever misfortune strikes. However, historical peaks coincided with major rebellions against colonial rule. The 1855 Santhal Rebellion and the 1857 Indian Rebellion saw surges in witch killings as political tools. Modern hunts remain tied to personal or communal emergencies rather than seasonal festivals.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers link witch hunts to socio-economic factors like poverty, lack of education, and inadequate healthcare. Studies show that treatable illnesses often trigger accusations when medical care is inaccessible. Feminist scholars argue that hunts reinforce patriarchal control by targeting independent women. Historians note that colonial bans failed because they ignored local customs and inadvertently fueled resistance against British authority.

Compare and confuse

Unlike European witch trials conducted by state judiciaries, Indian hunts are community-driven and informal. The term 'witch' here refers to individuals accused of causing harm through magic, similar to concepts in other cultures. However, the scale and brutality in India are distinct. Colonial officials once compared witch deaths to sati, highlighting the severity. Modern comparisons focus on gender-based violence and land disputes rather than religious heresy.

Law and persecution

British authorities banned witch-killing in the nineteenth century, imposing penalties on accusers. These laws initially reduced violence but drove the practice underground. Modern Indian states have passed legislation to criminalize witch-hunting, yet enforcement remains weak. Perpetrators rarely face conviction, and victims receive little protection. The gap between legal statutes and local reality allows the practice to continue unchecked in many regions.

Questions people ask about Witch-hunts in India

Good reading and sources

• The Indian woman who hunts the witch huntersBBC, Article
• Five women killed in India by villagers suspecting witchcraftThe Guardian, Article

• Witch hunts in India on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data