Was there ever any human sacrifice in Hindu culture? I haven't checked yet, but I'll bet you any money there was indeed human sacrifice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice_in_Aztec_culture
The practice of human sacrifice was widespread in the Mesoamerican and in the South American cultures during the Inca Empire.[4][5] Like all other known pre-Columbian civilizations of Mesoamerica, the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice. The extant sources describe how the Aztecs sacrificed human victims on each of their eighteen festivities, one festivity for each of their 20-day months.[6]
Well well well.... what do you know?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice
Human sacrifices were carried out in connection with the worship of Shakti until approximately the early modern period, and in Bengal perhaps as late as the early 19th century.[68] Although not accepted by larger section of Hindu culture, certain tantric cults performed human sacrifice until around the same time, both actual and symbolic; it was a highly ritualised act, and on occasion took many months to complete.[68]
What would lead people towards this sort of "sensible" thinking?