Page:Ranjit Singh (Griffin).djvu/32

26 parison. It will be interesting to ascertain whether the Sikhs are, as some believe and as the 1881 census seemed to indicate, diminishing in numbers, or whether the fluctuation was only accidental and temporary. There are obviously many considerations which influence the question. The Sikh represents a creed, not a race. Of the Hindu, of whatever caste, it may be said, as of the poet, nascitur non fit. His birth status is unalterable. But with the Sikh the exact reverse is the case. Born of a Sikh father, he is not himself counted of the faith until, as a grown boy, he has been initiated and received the baptism of the páhul, at the Akál Bungah or some equally sacred place. Thus the supply of candidates for baptism is apt to rise or fall with the popular estimate of the advantages or disadvantages of joining the communion. During the days of Ranjít Singh, when spiritual fervour and national pride worked in common, the numbers who joined the dominant faith were proportionally great. At the time of the first British census of 1855 the outside influences were depressing. The Khálsa had fallen to rise no more, and its members were uncertain of the temper of their new masters, who might be expected to be angry with those who had forced upon them the burthen and expense of two wars. As a consequence the Sikhs lay low and did not bring their sons to baptism. It