1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 83
2 though the faithful dared not oppose them, their
3 thoughts and wishes on the subject would not
4 have responded to those of a people whom they
5 thoroughly detested, and who they conceived had
6 at length sought a foe who would level their pride,
7 and probably subdue their kingdom. The Mussul-
8 mans of the Punjab disliked the despotic and arbi-
9 trary sway of the Sikhs; they could not forget that
10 in former times they had been rulers at Lahore,
11 and that their great Emperor Akhber treated the
12 poor Gooroo kindly, as a harmless creature who
13 could never be supposed by his words or acts to
14 give any cause of offence. They had daily before
15 their eyes the minarets of Jehangeer’s tomb across
16 the Ravee; in short, they rejoiced at the coming
17 struggle, which would once more enable them to
18 offer up their prayers, and follow all the pomp and
19 show of their religion under the British sway, which
20 never interferes with any faith, but allows to all the
21 benefit of perfect freedom in religious matters, re-
22 gardless of whether it be the idolatry of the Hindoo,
23 or the fanaticism of the bigoted Mussulman.
24 Though the Sikhs were thus disliked by the
25 Mussulmans, several of the latter were in high
26 employ in the Sikh army, as well as in affairs
27 relating to the state. A Mussulman was at the
28 head of their artillery ; and their best gunners were
29 of the same sect ; this accounts readily for the gene-
30 rous bearing towards Lieutenant Biddulph by the
31 Sikh artillery. They were not fighting for their
32 country, like the Sikhs ; they were mere mercenary
33 62