Pickaxes of the Thuggee

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2026, 07:49 PM

While a bit off topic, and technically not properly in scope here, just wanted to add this which applies more to the actual historical content of the subject matter and pertaining to the license in the film "Gunga Din".

Focused on the possibility of the 'lohar' axes used in tribal contexts in the Khyber regions perhaps being related to the mysterious Thuggee cults of India and distinctly themed in the movie "Gunga Din", I thought of the famed 'bugling' scene we have discussed.

It appears that the noted axes of the thuggee, in the movie perspective they used a full size workers pickaxe.

In context, I wondered about adding a bugle to this thread of 'the type' used in the movie and in accord with the key scene in the movie, with Gunga Din bugling high on a parapet of the fortress alerting the marching Highlanders of the impending ambush.

I found an interesting example of the type, but with the insignia of the Cameron Highlanders. As far as can be determined the Highlanders who are actually represented in the film were Gordon Highlanders, so again, license and theme representation for image was key.

This 'well worn' example bugle, is distinctly of the type which would have been used in period, and as seen in Gunga Din's famed death scene.
By type, examples by this maker are seen in exactly same form and combination of brass and copper dating from 1891-1936.
As the film was made in 1939, and warfare was still active in the Khyber and environs, in essence the example is virtually 'in period'.

Though in a discussion area focused on weapons of course, and in periods ending effectively at the turn of the century, I hope this bugle addition will be seen purely as context toward the historic elements of films on these topics.
In these times, warfare of the last century still prevailed in many regions of colonial context, and arms used ranged from vintage to modern.
In the bugling scene, the heroic Gunga Din, who only wanted to be a soldier, and his only weapon was the bugle he was given, and armed only with it, he saved the lives of many British soldiers.

While of course this is fiction, it is borne from many true instances of the place taken by musical instruments in battle, such as notably the Scottish bagpipes, drums and actual bands who accompanied forces into battle.

2nd February 2026, 07:49 PM	#18
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,799	While a bit off topic, and technically not properly in scope here, just wanted to add this which applies more to the actual historical content of the subject matter and pertaining to the license in the film "Gunga Din". Focused on the possibility of the 'lohar' axes used in tribal contexts in the Khyber regions perhaps being related to the mysterious Thuggee cults of India and distinctly themed in the movie "Gunga Din", I thought of the famed 'bugling' scene we have discussed. It appears that the noted axes of the thuggee, in the movie perspective they used a full size workers pickaxe. In context, I wondered about adding a bugle to this thread of 'the type' used in the movie and in accord with the key scene in the movie, with Gunga Din bugling high on a parapet of the fortress alerting the marching Highlanders of the impending ambush. I found an interesting example of the type, but with the insignia of the Cameron Highlanders. As far as can be determined the Highlanders who are actually represented in the film were Gordon Highlanders, so again, license and theme representation for image was key. This 'well worn' example bugle, is distinctly of the type which would have been used in period, and as seen in Gunga Din's famed death scene. By type, examples by this maker are seen in exactly same form and combination of brass and copper dating from 1891-1936. As the film was made in 1939, and warfare was still active in the Khyber and environs, in essence the example is virtually 'in period'. Though in a discussion area focused on weapons of course, and in periods ending effectively at the turn of the century, I hope this bugle addition will be seen purely as context toward the historic elements of films on these topics. In these times, warfare of the last century still prevailed in many regions of colonial context, and arms used ranged from vintage to modern. In the bugling scene, the heroic Gunga Din, who only wanted to be a soldier, and his only weapon was the bugle he was given, and armed only with it, he saved the lives of many British soldiers. While of course this is fiction, it is borne from many true instances of the place taken by musical instruments in battle, such as notably the Scottish bagpipes, drums and actual bands who accompanied forces into battle. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 2nd February 2026 at 08:10 PM.