SKETCH OF THE SIRHS. 355 



large expedition is to be undertaken, all the Sikh chiefs assemble at AmriU 

 sar. The assembly, which is called the Gilni-matd, is convened by the 

 Acdlis; and when the chiefs meet upon this solemn occasion, it is- con^ 

 eluded that all private animosities cease, and that every man sacrifices his 

 personal feelings, at the shrine of the general good; and, a6luated by 

 principles of pure patriotism, thinks of nothing but the interests of the re- 

 ligion, and commonwealth, to which he belongs. ^ r-^ 



When the chief^ and principal leaders are seated, the Adi-Grant'h and 

 JDas'ama Pddsh'dh ka Gra/zf/i, are placed before them « They all bend 

 their heads before these scriptures, and exclaim, IVa f Guruji' ka Khalsa l 

 Wa ! Gurilji ki Fatehl A great quantity of cakes, made of wheat, butter, 

 and sugar, are then placed before the volumes of their sacred writings, 

 and covered with a cloth. These holy cakes, which are in commemora- 

 tion of the injunction of Na'nac, to eat and to give to others to eat, next 

 receive the salutation of the assembly, who then rise, and the Acdlis pray 

 aloud, while the musicians play. The Acdlis when the prayers are fini- 

 shed, desire the council to be seated. They sit down, and the cakes be- 

 ing uncovered, are eaten of by all classes* of Sikhs, Those distin6lions 

 of original tribes which are, on other occasions, kept up, being on this oc- 

 casion laid aside, in token of their general and complete union in one 

 cause .+ The Acdlis then exclaim, " Sirdars! (chiefs) this is a GiLru," 



- * A custom, of a similar nature, with regard to all tribes eating promiscuously, is ob- 

 served among the Hindus^ at the temple of Jaganndlh, where men of all religions and casts, 

 without distinction, eat oi the Maha Prds^id, the great offering, i. e. fodd dressed by the 

 <;oo1<s of the idols, and sold on the stairs of the temple. 



+ Tho Sikh priest, who gave an account of (his custom, was of a high Hindu tribe j 

 «nd, retaining some of his prcjndiccs,' he ai firsi said Wni Muhavvnedan Sikhs, and those 

 who were converts from the sweeper rfst, were obliged, even on this occasion, to eat a little 

 apart from the other S/A- /is / but, (Jii Beliig closely questioned, lie admitted the fact a§ stated 



