Tempo:
290
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
CHAP. IK
would say that they were mere imitators of unapproachable masters. But, amid all their humiliation, they inwardly dwelt upon their future destiny with unabated confidence; and while gaily calling themselves inapt and youthful scholars, they would sometimes add, with a significant and sardonic smile, that the 'Khalsa' itself was yet a child, and that as the commonwealth of Sikhs grew in stature, Gobind would clothe his disciples with irresistible might and guide them with unequalled skill. Thus brave men sought consolation, and the spirit of progress which collectively animated them yielded with a murmur to the superior genius of England and civilization, to be chastened by the rough hand of power, and perhaps to be moulded to noblest purposes by the informing touch of knowledge and philosophy.^
1845-6.
or they
Conclusion.
The separate sway of the Sikhs and the independence of the Punjab have come to an end, and England reigns the undisputed mistress of the broad and classic land of India. Her political supremacy is more regular and systematic than the antique rule of the Brahmans and Kshattriyas, and it is less assailable from without than the imperfect dominion of the Muhammadans;
—The position of the English in India.
for in disciplined power and vastness of resources, in unity of action and intelligence of design, her government surpasses the experience of the East, and emulates the magnificent prototype of Rome. But the Hindus made the country wholly their own, and from sea to sea, from the snowy mountains almost to the fabled bridge of Rama, the language of the peasant is still that of the twice-born races; the speech of the wild foresters and mountaineers of the centre and
south has been permanently tinged by the old predominance of the Kshattriyas, and the hopes and fears
and daily habits of myriads of men still vividly represent the genial myths and deep philosophy of the Brahmans, which more than two thousand years ago arrested the attention of the Greeks. The Muhammadans entered the country to destroy, but they remained 1 In March 1846, or immediately after the war, the author visited the Sikh temples and establishments at Kiratpur and Anandpur-Makhowal. At the latter place, the chosen seat of Gobind, reliance upon the future was likewise strong; and the grave priests or ministers said, by way of assurance, that the pure faith of the Khalsa was intended for all countries and disciples of times- and added, by way of compliment, that the Nanak would ever be grateful for the aid which the stranger intolerant English had rendered in subverting the empire of the
and oppressive Muhammadans!
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
CHAP. IK
would say that they were mere imitators of unapproachable masters. But, amid all their humiliation, they inwardly dwelt upon their future destiny with unabated confidence; and while gaily calling themselves inapt and youthful scholars, they would sometimes add, with a significant and sardonic smile, that the 'Khalsa' itself was yet a child, and that as the commonwealth of Sikhs grew in stature, Gobind would clothe his disciples with irresistible might and guide them with unequalled skill. Thus brave men sought consolation, and the spirit of progress which collectively animated them yielded with a murmur to the superior genius of England and civilization, to be chastened by the rough hand of power, and perhaps to be moulded to noblest purposes by the informing touch of knowledge and philosophy.^
1845-6.
or they
Conclusion.
The separate sway of the Sikhs and the independence of the Punjab have come to an end, and England reigns the undisputed mistress of the broad and classic land of India. Her political supremacy is more regular and systematic than the antique rule of the Brahmans and Kshattriyas, and it is less assailable from without than the imperfect dominion of the Muhammadans;
—The position of the English in India.
for in disciplined power and vastness of resources, in unity of action and intelligence of design, her government surpasses the experience of the East, and emulates the magnificent prototype of Rome. But the Hindus made the country wholly their own, and from sea to sea, from the snowy mountains almost to the fabled bridge of Rama, the language of the peasant is still that of the twice-born races; the speech of the wild foresters and mountaineers of the centre and
south has been permanently tinged by the old predominance of the Kshattriyas, and the hopes and fears
and daily habits of myriads of men still vividly represent the genial myths and deep philosophy of the Brahmans, which more than two thousand years ago arrested the attention of the Greeks. The Muhammadans entered the country to destroy, but they remained 1 In March 1846, or immediately after the war, the author visited the Sikh temples and establishments at Kiratpur and Anandpur-Makhowal. At the latter place, the chosen seat of Gobind, reliance upon the future was likewise strong; and the grave priests or ministers said, by way of assurance, that the pure faith of the Khalsa was intended for all countries and disciples of times- and added, by way of compliment, that the Nanak would ever be grateful for the aid which the stranger intolerant English had rendered in subverting the empire of the
and oppressive Muhammadans!
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