200 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



Sikhism. The better classes of Sikhs are drawn from the Jat 

 and Khattris, the finest specimens being Jat Sikhs, who possess 

 all the virtues of the Jat of the Punjab, and many also developed 

 by Sikhism. 



Those Jats who have changed from the Hindu faith to Islamism 

 and Sikhism have at the same time adopted the dietetic customs 

 of their new religion. Animal food, therefore, enters much more 

 largely into their dietaries than is the case with the eastern 

 Jat. Large numbers of Islam converts are enlisted as Punjabi 

 Mohammedans, as, for instance, the Kharral tribe, who are 

 hardy, well-built, and good-looking, possessing the martial 

 instinct to a high degree, and make very good soldiers. 



The Jat Sikh is an exceptionally fine type of Asiatic, 

 exhibiting a splendid physique, well-proportioned, and solidly 

 built. With his manly and handsome features, his sturdy 

 independence, self-respect, and racial pride, he is the beau ideal 

 of an Oriental soldier. The Khalsa Sikh, or Sikh par excellence, 

 is drawn from many castes, but mostly from the Punjab Jat, 

 to whose sturdy and independent character the warlike and 

 manly precepts of Sikhism appeal. The Jat Sikh is the truest 

 and best embodiment of Sikhism. Jats who have adopted other 

 religions and have not entered the fold of Khalsa, do not make 

 nearly so good soldiers as their brothers who have taken this 

 step.* 



The dietaries of those Jat tribes who have become Moham- 

 medans and Sikhs are considerably superior in the degree of 

 protein metabolism they permit to those of the eastern Hindu 

 Jats. Mohammedans in general are meat-eaters, consuming the 

 flesh of the ordinary animals used for food in European countries, 

 with the exception of the pig. Punjabi Mohammedans live 

 largely on wheat, millets, maize, peas, milk in its various forms, 

 and animal materials. 



The Jat Sikh also has not attained his high position as regards 

 physique and soldierly qualities on a diet poor in protein. Like 

 Jats everywhere, whatever religious views they may hold, they 

 are splendid farmers. A very large proportion are peasant 

 proprietors, which condition insures a full sufficiency of all food- 

 stuffs available from the land. Wheat is their staple food, but 

 bajra, maize, and juar are also eaten during certain seasons of the 

 year. Milk, curd, buttermilk, and butter are largely consumed. 



* Bonarjee, " The Fighting Races of India." 



