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2 NM AG Sel ee PONS Rae Ae
3 CHAPTER X.
4 THE RELIGION OF THE SIKHS.
5 Tue Sikh religion does not boast of a very high
6 antiquity. Previous to the close of the fifteenth
7 century, the whole of the people inhabiting the
8 Punjaub were either followers of Hindooism,
9 devoutly believing in the mythology which, to
10 the present moment, is held in reverence by the
11 millions spread over British India, or disciples of
12 Mahomed from conviction, or the proselyting
13 influence of Persian and Affghan conquerors.
14 But in the early part of the eighteenth century
15 arose one of those remarkable men who, in all
16 ages and countries, have been destined by the
17 simplest means—the mere effort of mind— to
18 effect a complete reform in the principles and
19 practices of religious faith, Nanac Suag, the
20 son of a salt merchant in a very small way of.
21 business, and from his childhood a devout Hin-
22 doo, became at a very early age strongly imbued