Black Sleep of the Kali Ma

The Black Sleep of the Kali Ma was a trance a person fell under if they drank the Blood of Kali. After drinking the blood, the victim would be put in a room surrounded by burning candles until the Black Sleep took over their mind. It was described as if being in a nightmare, unable to wake. Those under the influence of the Black Sleep were mindlessly, unswervingly loyal to Kali and the Thuggee cause, as well as being highly obedient to Mola Ram.

The only means of bringing a person out of the Black Sleep was to induce enough pain that would snap them out of it, particularly by burning the victim. If they were snapped out of the trance, the victim was completely aware of their actions and experiences while under the effects of the Blood of Kali.

Notable victimsEdit

• Indiana Jones
• Zalim Singh
• 1st Boy in Cell
• 2nd Boy in Cell

Behind the scenesEdit

During the development of the script for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, it was written that the Black Sleep of Kali Ma made the eyes of the people who drunk it to turn yellow.^[1]

Early drafts also had the burning Sankara Stones actually release Mola Ram from the Black Sleep of the Kali Ma before he falls to his death, hinting that he may not have been in control of his actions.^[1] Although this idea was cut from the film itself, it was retained in James Kahn's novelization^[2] and comic book adaptation.^[3]

AppearancesEdit

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom novel
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom comic
• Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead (Mentioned only)

Notes and referencesEdit