202 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



nitrogenous interchange on the physique, stamina, and manly 

 characteristics of the individuals of the races. 



The facts collected and published for the guidance of recruit- 

 ing officers show undoubtedly that those classes that are in a 

 position to obtain a liberal supply of good food form the chief 

 sources of the best fighting material, while the less well-fed 

 classes, even though in some cases everything except diet is in 

 their favour, are acknowledged to be inferior from a military 

 standpoint in the necessary qualities of the soldier. We have 

 brought forward abundant evidence on these points in con- 

 sidering the eastern and western Rajputs ; the different classes of 

 Dogras, particularly when discussing the effects of food on the 

 Mians and on the lower agricultural classes, who, despite their 

 mixed Aryan and Dravidian blood, have gradually developed into 

 material superior in physique and stamina to the pure-blooded 

 descendant of the old warrior stock of Rajputs ; and, lastly, the 

 effects as exhibited by the several sects of Jats, Punjabi Moham- 

 medans, and Jat Sikhs, in each and all of whom the merits and 

 demerits of dietaries high and low in protein respectively are very 

 apparent and easily estimated. The evidence afforded by a study 

 of the influence of diet on these races is entirely at variance with 

 the views expressed by Chittenden, and can only lead to one 

 conclusion viz., that a sufficiently liberal degree of nitrogenous 

 interchange is essential for the formation and development of 

 those attributes and qualities of mind and body that are 

 alike the pride of the soldier and the envy of inferior races. 



The Sikh. 



" Hardy, brave, intelligent ; too slow to understand when he 

 is beaten ; obedient to discipline ; attached to his officers ; 

 careless of caste prohibitions he is unsurpassed as a soldier 

 of the East, and takes first place as a thoroughly reliable useful 

 soldier. The Sikh is always the same, ever genial, good- 

 tempered, and uncomplaining ; as steady under fire as he is 

 eager for a charge. When well and sufficiently led, he is the 

 equal of any troops in the world, and superior to any with 

 whom he is likely to come into contact " (Falcon). 



" As a soldier the Sikh displays a cool, quiet, and resolute 

 courage, and is much less likely to lose his head in the excite- 

 ment of battle than the Pa than. His passions are well under 



