SJtfiWH OF THE SIKHS 265 



the LaVhi Jwighy knd other parts of thelf^errkory/, were justly cele- 

 brated for their strength, temper aiid a6llvity*-: but the int'ernar distra6lions 

 of these territories has been unfavourable to the encouragemeiit of the 

 breed, which has consequently dedinexJV and the S'fM^ riow'are ih no r^^^ 

 pe6l better mounted than the Ma^ri/T?^; and, from a hWdr6^^^ 

 cavalry, it would be difficult to sale 61 ten horse^'that ^uld' We Mniittea 

 as lit t6 mount native troopers in the English ^erv4cfe!l^ L'bj - ■ 



TheiK. horsemen use ?words and spears, and, inost of thei:^.na^,., carry 

 snatchlocks^, though some still use th^ bow-a.n4.^rrow, a speci^spf , ?irma, 

 for excellejrice in the use of which their forefathers were celebrat^jd^ anj| 

 which their descendants. appear to abai;Ldpi^,jvith^,^Teat reluctance, ^^^-y^f 



The education of the 5"/^^^ renders mem Kardy, and capable of "great 

 fatigue; and the condition of the society in which they lii^e, affords con- 

 stant exercise to that restless spirit of adlivity and ehterprize, which their 

 religion has generated. Such a race cannot be eg^ures : they appear, in- 

 deed, generally to despise luxury of diet, and pride themselves in their 

 coarse fare. Their dress is also plain, not unlike that of the Hindus^ 

 eiqually light and divested of ornament. Some of the chiefs wear gold 

 bangles, but this is rare, and the general chara^eristic of their dress; ^nd 

 mode of living, is simplicity, 



«oT«f HE. principal leaders, among the Sikhsg afFe(5l to be familiar and easy 

 of intercourse with their inferiors, and to despite rthjJ pomp and state of 

 J^% Muhammedan chiefs ; but their pride ofteh? counter a 6ls this disposition, 

 jmd they appeared to me to have, in proportion to their rank and conse- 

 '^ence, more state, and to maintain equal, if not more reserve, and dig- 

 itiity, with their followers, than is usiial with the Mahrdta chiefs. 



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