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58 form them into the military nation which they afterwards became.

Govind Singh, although, as has been before stated, he was more inclined to polytheistic ideas than to the refined Pantheism of Nának, did not desire or find it convenient to attack the doctrine of his great predecessor, when the Sodhis of Anandpur sarcastically suggested his writing a new scripture for himself. What he wished was to consolidate the Sikh power, to bring the Sikhs more completely out of the ranks of Hinduism, so as to launch them with greater effect against Muhammadanism, and his first step was to abolish the custom of caste upon which Bráhmanism is founded. This naturally brought upon him the wrath of the priests of that creed and the dislike and suspicion of all the higher castes, whose immemorial privileges were abridged or destroyed by the admission into the Sikh body of those whom they most despised. This part of Nának's practice had been a stumbling-block to Hindu converts of the higher castes, but it was not made with him a matter of vital importance as with Govind Singh.

The other precepts of Govind Singh, with the object of separating his followers from the general body of Hindus, do not require lengthy notice; they were principally rules of conduct regarding dress, food and worship. The Sikhs were enjoined to wear blue garments, a practice which has long been discontinued, except in the case of the Akális; they were to carry a sword, and in addition five articles, the Punjábi