Witchcraft and Witch-Hunting in Global Perspective: Historical Developments in Europe and India

Witchcraft has existed in different forms across the world from ancient civilization to the modern age. Belief in supernatural powers, magic, evil spirits, and occult practices developed in almost every early society as human beings attempted to explain disease, death, famine, natural disaster, and social misfortune. Ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome accepted magical rituals and supernatural beliefs as part of religion and social life. During the medieval and early modern periods, Europe experienced widespread witch-hunts in which thousands of people, especially women, were accused and executed for witchcraft. In India, witchcraft beliefs developed through tribal customs, folk religion, Vedic traditions, Tantric practices, and spirit worship. Belief in witches, black magic, evil spirits, and supernatural healing remains influential in many tribal and rural societies. The present paper attempts to examine the historical origin and development of witchcraft from a global comparative perspective with special reference to Europe and India. The study analyses the evolution of magical beliefs in Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, England, and India, and explores the relationship between witchcraft, patriarchy, religion, social fear, and political power. Special emphasis has been given to tribal society in India and the continuing problem of witch-hunting in modern times. The paper also analyses NCRB data and discusses the gendered nature of witchcraft accusations in tribal communities. The study is based on historical and qualitative methods using books, journal articles, reports, census documents, and government data.