“SUPARI” -THE UNDERWORLD CODE WORD

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

 

Many moons ago, long before the British era, a little-known king established his rule on the island of Mahim in modern-day Mumbai. Legend has it that he also gave the code-word for contract killing to the Mumbai underworld.

The king was Bhimdev. His origins were unclear, no portraits of him have survived, and the palace itself is no longer standing, but there is a folklore that is well worth hearing.

He has been the subject of conflicting theories, but based on Stephen Meredith Edwardes’ book, he has been identified as the son of Ramachandra of Devagiri. After his father was defeated by Allaudin Khilji, he fled to the Konkan shore.

Around the late 13th century, he began to take over the coastal settlements, eventually making his way to Mahikavati, now known as Mahim in Mumbai. Enchanted by the beauty of the remote island he decided to build his capital there.

According to Hussain Zaidi's book "Dongri to Dubai - Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia," King Bhimdev allegedly used to gather all of his troops into his fort for a lavish feast whenever he had to carry out a challenging assignment, most often assassinating a rival leader.

An odd process to select the best man for the job used to follow the feast. After the feast, a thalli with betel leaves and betel/areca nuts (Pan & Supari) were set up in the center of the arena. This is where the story gets interesting.

Whoever wanted to accept the challenge went to the thaali to pick up the Supari and was thereby chosen for the assignment. He was to be praised for his bravery, and the king would grant the supari-holder blessings for his work.

The King and his fort are long gone, but the idea of giving a supari remains in the language of urban Mumbai, especially among the mafias and their henchmen. The kingdom was gone but the term survived.

This is the amazing origin story of the term “supari dena” which today essentially means offering a hit job for contract killing.

Source:

Stephen Meredith Edwardes (1902). The Rise of Bombay: A Retrospect. The Times of India Press.

Hussain Zaidi, Dongri to Dubai - Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia,