Page:Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains.djvu/148

82 The British camp, of course, shewed poor in comparison with that of a chief who seemed to have brought all Bokhara's vaunted gold, and all the gems of Samarcand, to the display; nevertheless, it was of a character befitting the representatives of a nation boasting more of internal riches than of outward show; and Runjeet Singh himself, in the midst of his glittering array, seemed much impressed with the appearance made by his British allies. The number of Europeans present, two king's corps, the 16th lancers, and the 31st regiment, being in the governor's train, appeared to give him both surprise and pleasure. He regarded these troops with evident astonishment, and remarked to those persons about him, that they were all so fair and young, they looked like gentlemen, comparing them to the sahibs of his acquaintance. He expressed himself also highly delighted with the whole of the troops, and with their movements as they went through the several evolutions after the most approved system of military tactics; and the review being ended, he ordered a largess, consisting of several mule-loads of rupees, to be distributed among the soldiers. However rapacious the maha-rajah may be in his character of sovereign, upon this occasion he displayed a truly prince-like liberality, presenting shawls and silk to every body who paid their respects to him. He also occasioned several of the soldiers and camp-followers, who had been induced by curiosity to reconnoitre the precincts of his tented fields, to be called before him, and dismissed them with handsome presents. He was much pleased with the equipments of the British soldiers, especially the lancers; and though it is impossible to say whether ears so well accustomed to the din and dissonance of native music could relish the more subdued harmony of our instrumental performers, he gave a thousand rupees to each of the bands accompanying Lord William's escort.

Runjeet Singh is at the head of the most warlike nation of the East, the Seiks being a brave and adventurous race, equalling the Rajpoots in their spirit and enterprise, and more fortunate in the independence of their sovereign, which permits them to follow the bent of their inclination in the pursuit of foreign conquests. The Seiks, or Singhs, are a modern sect of Hindoos, differing considerably from their more orthodox brethren, since they will eat the flesh of any animal, excepting that of the cow. These people are followers of Baba Nanuk, who several centuries ago founded the sect, into which he admitted converts of all denominations. The doctrines promulgated by this person have, however, been lost sight of in the lapse of ages, for he insisted upon the renunciation of idolatry, and the abolition of caste, directing the attention of his followers to the precepts of a book compiled by persons entering into these views, called the Adi Grunth. Baba Nanuk's converts were in the first instance denominated Seiks (disciples), and were a peaceable race, but being persecuted, their high-priest Govind, the tenth in descent, changed the appellation to that of Singh (lion), and called upon them to resist their oppressors, and take up the sword. Becoming warlike, and spreading themselves over the Punjab, they obtained possession of the whole country; but their religion has deteriorated. They now pay respect to caste, and, so far from retaining their former toleration, look scrupulously at the descent of those Hindoos with whom they eat.

Could Runjeet Singh transmit his dominions to a successor whose talents equalled his own, we might find our neighbours of the Punjab rather troublesome, but in all probability the government will fall to pieces as soon as the present head of it shall sleep with