1 237
2 HISTORY. OF THE SIKHS,
3 0*s, but differ from this race as found in other
4 parts of India, in their extreme insolence and in¬
5 dependence. To the sight, even of an European,
6 they have a strong antipathy; and never fail to
7 load him with, abuse. Kunjeot has done much
8 towards reducing this race to some degree of order ;.
9 and though the task is. a difficult.- one, they have
10 even been trained as soldiers, retaining;, however,
11 their own peculiar arms and dress. The Ukaiees
12 wear but little clothing, and are sometimes divested
13 of it altogether. Their turban is of a peaked, 01
14 conical form, and invariably of a blue colour;
15 over this are placed steel circles, made so as to fit
16 the shape of the turban, diminishing gradually in
17 diameter as they approach the top. i he outer
18 edge of these weapons is very sharp, and inflicts
19 severe wounds. They are thrown, by giving them
20 a rotary motion on the finger, and then project¬
21 ing them forwards with great velocity. In addition
22 to these weapons, by .which they may at all times
23 be known, the Ukaiees carry a naked sword in
24 their hand, which they kee, fmrishing about their
25 heads like madmen. When thus equipped, and
26 mounted on horseback, they present a novel sight;
27 further increased in terror, if they happen to be
28 under the influence of spirituous liquors, which is
29 by no means a rare occurrence; their discordant
30 yells, wild gestures, and the brandishing of their
31 swords, give them, on these occasions, more the
32 appearance of fiends, than of human beings. The
33 Ukaiees sometimes cross the Sutlej and Gharra