DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15173#0057
CHAP. II.
a seik chief.
39
At Ramnuggur we had a visit from a venerable
Seik chief, of eighty-two, who had fought in the
wars under the grandfather of llunjeet Sing. His
beard was silvered by age ; but he was a hale old
man, and appeared in an entire suit of white clothes,
which in this country mark the old school as dis-
tinctly as the queue and spencer of England. The
garrulity of years had overtaken him; yet he gave
us a lively account of his early career, and the in-
creasing power of the Seik nation. " It had been
predicted," he said, " in their Grinth, or Bible, that
wherever there was a horse or a spear, there would
be chiefs and soldiers in the land. Every day
serves to verify the prediction," continued he;
" since the number of converts to the Seik creed
increases, and now averages about 5000 yearly."
When political aggrandisement follows the religious
supremacy of a sect, it requires little prediction or
foresight to know that that sect will increase. With
the Patan invasion the Hindoo became a Mahom-
medan ; and with the Seik power both he and the
Hindoo have become Seiks, or Sings. The genuine
Sing, or Khalsa, knows no occupation but war and
agriculture ; and he more affects the one than the
other. The follower of Baba Nanuk is a merchant.
The Seiks are doubtless the most rising people in
modern India. Our venerable acquaintance spoke of
the degeneracy of the land ; but the vigorous govern-
ment and tone of the people do not countenance his
opinions.
There is a curious subject for speculation in the
appearance of the Seik people, and their general
d 4
a seik chief.
39
At Ramnuggur we had a visit from a venerable
Seik chief, of eighty-two, who had fought in the
wars under the grandfather of llunjeet Sing. His
beard was silvered by age ; but he was a hale old
man, and appeared in an entire suit of white clothes,
which in this country mark the old school as dis-
tinctly as the queue and spencer of England. The
garrulity of years had overtaken him; yet he gave
us a lively account of his early career, and the in-
creasing power of the Seik nation. " It had been
predicted," he said, " in their Grinth, or Bible, that
wherever there was a horse or a spear, there would
be chiefs and soldiers in the land. Every day
serves to verify the prediction," continued he;
" since the number of converts to the Seik creed
increases, and now averages about 5000 yearly."
When political aggrandisement follows the religious
supremacy of a sect, it requires little prediction or
foresight to know that that sect will increase. With
the Patan invasion the Hindoo became a Mahom-
medan ; and with the Seik power both he and the
Hindoo have become Seiks, or Sings. The genuine
Sing, or Khalsa, knows no occupation but war and
agriculture ; and he more affects the one than the
other. The follower of Baba Nanuk is a merchant.
The Seiks are doubtless the most rising people in
modern India. Our venerable acquaintance spoke of
the degeneracy of the land ; but the vigorous govern-
ment and tone of the people do not countenance his
opinions.
There is a curious subject for speculation in the
appearance of the Seik people, and their general
d 4