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34 large numbers. The camp became their home and the plunder of the Mahomedans their lawful prey. He died in 1638, after nominating as his successor his grandson, son of his eldest deceased son. The fighting spirit of the Sikhs having been roused and their quality proved, made them a power to be courted. Under their Guru they joined a son of the Emperor in rebellion, who was friendly to them, but eventually had to flee to their retreats. On the death of their leader his young son, six years of age, succeeded him as eighth Guru; but a contest now arose among the Sikhs regarding the succession, which, curiously enough, was referred to the arbitration of the Moghul Emperor, who summoned the boy to Delhi, where he died.

Tegh Bahadur, the younger son of the martial Har Govind, was now selected as ninth Guru. His mother, when the succession went some years before to Har Govind's grandson, remonstrated at the decision; but the dying Guru gave his arms to her to keep