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34 districts about the rivers Beas and Sutlej. In the southern and frontier districts they show altogether different characteristics, and have, in many cases, a different and non-Rájput origin.

The virtues of the Játs are thus identical with those of the Sikhs who have come out of this caste, while the new creed has added a more ardent military spirit which is the principal tradition of the creed and which it should be the earnest desire of the British Government to maintain. As the English power in India becomes more consolidated and resistance to its authority grows each year less common, it must result that the fighting races will have less opportunity for gratifying their martial instincts. The soldier everywhere gives way to the husbandman; the sword is beaten into a ploughshare, and we are disposed to boast of the universal Pax Britannica as if all administrative triumphs were bounded by and included in peace. But for an Empire like India, of 288 millions, which has many dangers from without and enemies ever ready to pierce the weak places in her armour, war is necessary to healthy life. The sword must be always sharp and must not be left too long rusting in the scabbard. If the rulers of India be wise, they will in every way encourage and stimulate the military spirit of the Sikhs and employ them on active service on every opportunity, whether the campaign be in Europe, Asia, or Africa. The all important thing is to give them the highest and most varied military training against every class of foe,