Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/241

Rh no venerable history like that of Hindu, Budhist, and Moslem, it has had much to contend with since the Khalsa lost its position as a ruling class fifty years ago; and for a time there was the danger under the powerful influence of Brahmanism, directed to overcome such a levelling simple faith, of it drifting into a backwater of Hinduism. But its robust strength has outlived this danger, and, according to the recent census of India, the Sikhs have increased considerably during the last decade. In a will case lately before the Punjab law courts, the decision was that the Sikhs at the present time are regarded only as a sect of Hindus; but the local Sikh organ, 'The Khalsa,'—its policy being to maintain the original reformed religion and worship of the Sikh Church,—protested that Sikhism differs widely from Hinduism in fundamental doctrine; that Sikhs do not consider themselves Hindus, and do not respect the Hindu pantheon or observe their religious rites; that Nanak,