SKETCH OF THE SIKHS. 241 



bourin^y colirrtries. They, liewever, at this period, received several severe 

 checL^ from Mir Manu, the governor of Lahore, who is said, by Mu^^ 

 J}ammedan authors, to have jbeen only with-held from destroying them, by 

 the counsel of his minister, Kod'a' Maj., who was himself ^ Sikh of the 

 Khaldsa* trib.e. Mir Manu appointed Adina B^'g Kha'n to the charge 

 of the countries in which the Sikhs maintained themselves; an^, as that 

 able, but artful chief, considered this turbulent tribe in no other light than 

 ?.s the means of his personal advancement, he was careful not to reduce 

 them altogether; but, after defeating them in an aaion, which was fought 

 near Mak'h^vdl, he entered into a secret understanding with them, by 

 which, though their excursions were limited^ they enjoyed a security to 

 which they had been unaccustomed, and from which they gathered 

 strength and resources for future efforts. 



At the death of MiR Manu,+ the Sikks took all those advantages, 

 which the local distra6tions of a falling empire offered them, of extending 

 an^ establishing their power. Their bands, under their most a(5live lea- 

 ders, plundered in every diredlion, and were successful in obtaining 

 possession of several countries, from which they have never since beea 

 §ii|)elled ; and their success, at tiiis period, was promoted, instead of 

 being checked, by the appointment of their old friend, Adina Beg 

 Khan, to Lahore; as that brave chief, anxious to defend his own govern- 

 jn^ht'kghmstth^ Afghans, immediately entered into a confederacy with- 



* A sect of nonconformist Sikhs, ■who believe in the Adi-Grant'h of Na'xac ; but tlo not> 

 .conform to the instifutions of Gu'uu' Go vind. They are called Khaldsa. This -word is 

 jaict, 4^5^ sijme, lobe horn. JChnlis, pure ax seleci, and to mean the purest or ttie select : 'by 

 others^ from Khalds^ frce^ ^nd to mean the freed or exempt, alluding to the tribe being 

 .fexcmpt from the usages imposed on the other Sikhs, 

 lit A. D. 1752, . 



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