SKETCH 'OF THE. SIKHS. . S6l- 



ral occupations of the Khaldsa Sikhs has been before mentbrted. Their ' 

 chara6ler differs widely from that of the Sinks, Full of intrigue, pliant, 

 versatile and insinuating, they have all the art of the lower classes of 

 Hindus, who are usually employed in transa6ling business; from whom, 

 indeed, as they have no distin6tion of dress, it is very difficult to distin- 

 guish them. 



The religious tribes of Acdlis, Shahid, and JVirmala, have been noti- 

 ced; their general chara6ler is formed from their habits of life. The 

 Ac a lis Sire insolent, ignorant and daring: presuming upon those rights 

 whicli their numbers and fanatic courage have established, their deport- 

 ment is hardly tolerant to the other Sikhs, and insufferable to strangers, 

 for whom they entertain a contempt which they take little pains to con- 

 ceal. The Shahid and the JSTirmala, particularly the latter, have more 

 knowledge and more urbanity. They are almost all men of quiet, peace* 



able habits; and many of them are said to possess learning. ^ 



. . ?[, , ■ . . ;.., . : ■^n^i^loh ^'iv:^ 



There is another tribe among the jSzM^v calledr the JV'fijiwiT-^J^^wfri/- 

 or descendants of Na'nac, who have the charadler of being a;mild,.h> 



great a man, sat. down on the carpet, became quite talkative, and related all he had seen, from 

 the invasion of Na dir Shah to that moment. Lord Lake, pleased with the^bold maulixiess 

 ' of his address, and the independence of his sentiments, told him he would gr^mthim any fa- 

 ■ vour he wished. *' I am glad of it," said the old man, " then march awa^ with your army 

 " from my village, which will otherwise be destroyed." Lord Lake, struck with the noble 

 spirit of the request, assured him he would march next morning, and that, in the mean time, he 

 should have guards who would protect his village from injury. Satisfied wi,th this assu^ 

 ranee, tlie old Sink was retiring, apparently full of admiration and gratitude at Lord Lake's 

 goodness, and of wonder at the scene he had witnessed, when, meeting two officers, at the 

 door of the tent, he put a hand upon the breast of each, exclaiming at the same time, " bro- 

 t/iers! where were you horn, and where are i/ou at Ihis motnenl .■^" uad ViitLuut waiting for 

 an answer, proceeded to his village. 



S s s 



