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72 and in inspiring the Sikh people with that hatred of the Muhammadan creed which is still glowing in the embers, ready to burst into fierce life should the British Government ever withdraw its restraining hand. Delhi has seen this spirit revived, so have the Afgháns of the North-West; and it will blaze high should the Gházis of Central Asia madly think of marching again to the plunder of Hindustán.

The history of the Sikhs from the death of Guru Govind Singh to the birth of Ranjít Singh can only be briefly noticed, the more so as I have already given a sketch of the origin and character of the Sikhs and their creed, so that it may be readily understood what were the men whom the great Mahárájá ruled and the nature of the doctrine of which he became the official representative. The material for an historical record of the seventy-two years which this period covers (1708-1780) is meagre and unreliable so far as the Mánjha Sikhs are concerned. More is known of the Southern Sikhs. As to the Muhammadan record, it is full of great and varied interest, and includes the invasions of Nadír Sháh, of Ahmad Sháh, and the gradual decline and disintegration of the Mughal Empire, whose governors and lieutenants threw off the authority of the Emperors and declared themselves independent.

The military successor of Govind Singh was Banda, who during the reign of Aurangzeb's three successors showed great energy and some military talent, defeating the imperial troops on more than one occa-