Correct Option (B)
Captain William Sleeman was a British administrator and soldier primarily known for his instrumental role in the suppression of the Thuggee cult in India. Appointed by Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General (1828-1835), Sleeman initiated and led a systematic campaign against the Thugs. These were organized gangs involved in widespread robbery and ritualistic murder, often by strangulation, of travellers across the subcontinent. His dedicated efforts between 1830 and 1840 led to the arrest and prosecution of thousands of Thugs, effectively dismantling their extensive networks. This initiative is recognized as one of the earliest significant large-scale policing actions by the British in India, contributing to the establishment of a more structured law enforcement system under the British Raj.
Incorrect Options
General Henry Prendergast was a British military officer whose historical association is primarily with military campaigns and operations, not with the specific suppression of the Thuggee cult.
Alexander Burnes (sometimes referred to as Burres) was a British explorer and political agent. He is known for his extensive travels in Central Asia and his involvement in diplomatic missions, particularly concerning Afghanistan, rather than anti-Thuggee operations.
Captain Robert Pemberton was associated with British diplomatic and survey missions, notably in regions like Bhutan. He did not play a role in the suppression of the Thugs.