1 136 PUNJAB.
2 to ordinary affairs, at the same time conveyed the most ee
3 and insulting allusion to Mahometanism.*
4 4 Malcolm, 140; The Sikhs indulge in the grossest debauchery,‘ not etepling
5 3310.” that species from which nature revolts; and among those ad-
6 dicted to this detestable vice, their late ruler, Runjeet Singh,
7 attained an odious pre-eminence. As soldiers they appear in
8 a more respectable light. Their repeated and signal successes
9 against the formidable Afghans are conclusive evidence of their
10 valour ; they are patient of fatigue and privation, and, in case of
11 reverse, readily rally. They are, however, as might be expected,
12 5 Masson, Bal. Afg. prone to plunder,® retaining this propensity (a very common one
13 Ean ee with oriental troops) from the time when Sikh and robber were
14 synonymous words; and, though easily disciplined so far as
15 relates to the accurate performance of military evolutions, they
16 are also easily moved to mutiny. Malcolm gives rather a favour-
17 able view of their character. ‘‘The Sikh soldier,” he says,
18 “is, generally speaking, brave, active, and cheerful, without
19 polish, but neither destitute of sincerity nor attachment.” But
20 for the occurrence of some recent events, the present race of
21 Sikhs might have claimed exemption from the charge of cruelty.
22 Their celebrated Maharaja, Runjeect Singh, rarely shed the
23 blood either of criminals or of his personal enemies, and he ap-
24 pears to have aspired to the praise of clemency. The countries
25 which have fallen under the Sikh sway have indeed in general de-
26 cayed in wealth and population, but this is to be attributed rather
27 6 Id. 120; Masson, to their rapacity than to their innate cruelty.®
28 RASS. In person, the Sikhs bear a general resemblance to other
29 people of Hindoo origin, but they are more robust, the result of
30 a more varied and liberal diet: they especially excel others of
31 the Hindoo race in having the lower extremities full, muscular,
32 and symmetrical. Their women are esteemed beautiful, but
33 they are frequently the victims of one of the most frightful of
34 the enormities of Hindooism, which, banished from the British
35 dominions in India, still lingers in unabated horror in a few
36 1 As. Res. xvii.
37 231-239. ria er *
38 3 Jour. Beng. * A full account of the Sikh faith and ‘‘ ecclesiastical polity ’’ would be
39 Eng. aaah re incompetent with the scope of this work. Ample information respecting
40 on ee” them may be obtained from Wilson,' Forster,? Malcolm,’ Masson,* and
41 ‘ Bal. Afg, Panj. Ward.°
42 i. 417-435,
43 5 Religion of
44 Hindvos, 270-289.