SKETCH OF THE SIKHS; tm 



it is more difficult to separate trutJi from falsehood, than that which relates 

 to the history of religious impostof^. The account of their lives is general- 

 ly recorded 3 either by devoted disciples and warm adherents, or by violent 

 enemies and bigotted persecutorss. The former, from enthusiastic admi- 

 ration, decorate theM with every quality and accompiishraent that can 

 adorn men: the latter^ with equal enthusiam and aversion, misrepresent 

 their chara6lers, and detraft from, ail their, rijerits and. pretensions. This 

 general remark I have found to apply with peculiar force to the varying 

 accounts given by Sikh and Muhamjnedan authors, of Nan ac and his suc- 

 cessors. As if would have been an endless and unproi^table taslc, to have 

 entered into a disquisition concerning all the points in which these au- 

 thors differ; many considerations have induced me to give a preference, 

 on almost all occasions, to the orlgina! Sikh writers. In every researcK 

 into the general history of mankind, it is of the most essential importance 

 to hear what a nktiofi has to say of itself; ahH the knowledge bbtamecl 

 from such soutces ba^ a value, ihdeperidfeiit'of its' histofical utility.' It aidsr 

 the promotion of social intercouirse, and" l^ads to the' estabhshment of 

 friendship between nations. Tfe most'gaVage stattes are those vvlio have 

 most prejudices, and who are consequently most easily conciliated or of- 

 fended: they are always -pleased and flatte5:'ed,'^heri they find, -that those 

 whom they cannot bat admit to possess superior intelligence, are ac- 

 quainted with their history, and respedt their belief and usage^; and, on 

 the contrary, they hardly ever pardon an outrage against their religion 

 or customs, though committed by men who hiave ^very right to plead the 

 most profound ignorance, as an excuse for the wor4s or a(^tions that have 

 provoked resentment. 



• 'io noil 



