Maharajah Zalim Singh's Indiana Jones Voodoo Doll

A crudely fashioned voodoo doll resembling Indiana Jones, created by Maharajah Zalim Singh as part of the Thuggee cult's supernatural rituals. The doll is used to inflict physical and psychological pain on Indiana Jones by burning or manipulating it, with the victim experiencing the same agony remotely. The ritual occurs in a skull-lined chamber, witnessed by Short Round, and demonstrates the cult's supernatural control over Indy's body. The doll embodies the Thuggee cult's belief in the link between the effigy and its target, enabling remote torture without direct contact.

2 appearances

Purpose

Inflict physical and psychological pain on Indiana Jones through burning or manipulation, enabling cult control.

Significance

Proves Thuggee mastery over Indy's will during the Kali ritual, escalating from pursuit to brainwashing and averting Sankara Stone theft.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S1E2 · INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

The Blood Ritual: Breaking Indiana Jones' Will

The voodoo doll, crudely fashioned to resemble Indiana Jones, is used by the Maharajah to inflict pain on Indy. When the doll is placed in the flaming urn, Indy convulses as if burned, demonstrating the cult’s supernatural control over his body. The doll is a tool of psychological torture, reinforcing the Maharajah’s sadistic power and the ritual’s ability to break Indy’s resistance. Its use is a visceral manifestation of the cult’s mind-control techniques.

Before: Hidden in the Maharajah’s robes, untouched.

After: Returned to the Maharajah’s robes after being used to torment Indy, its purpose fulfilled for the moment.

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S1E2 · INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

The Blood Ritual: Breaking Indiana Jones' Will

The Maharajah’s voodoo doll, crudely fashioned to resemble Indiana Jones, is used as a torture device. When the Maharajah plunges the doll into a flaming urn, Indy convulses in agony, his body reacting as if the flames are burning his own flesh. The doll is a grotesque extension of the cult’s power, allowing them to inflict pain without direct physical contact. Its role in the ritual is to break Indy’s will by making him feel the consequences of resistance, even when he is chained and helpless. The doll’s destruction in the flames symbolizes the cult’s desire to consume Indy’s identity, leaving only a hollow shell behind.

Before: Clutched in the Maharajah’s robes, a crude but effective effigy of Indy.

After: Charred and smoldering, its purpose fulfilled—Indy’s pain has been inflicted, and the doll is discarded.

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