with the English by their fanatical attack upon Mr. Metcalfe's Mussulman escort in 1809[1], and their reckless valour turned many a wavering fight into a victory. They were identical in character and in the manner of their onslaught with the Gházis of Afghánistán and the Soudán, whose fierce and terrible attack shakes the nerves of all but the steadiest and most seasoned troops; but the Sikh soldiers of God drew their courage more from drink and maddening drugs, than from the depths of religious enthusiasm which inspires the wild children of Islam. They were an unmitigated nuisance and danger during the Mahárájá's reign, and more than once they attempted his life. Their insolent swagger and hatred to Europeans made them so obnoxious during the early years of the British occupation and annexation, that visits to the Temple of the Darbár Sáhib at Amritsar, where the Akál Bungah formed their head-quarters, were always attended with some risk. The Mahárájá was tolerant or indifferent, and desired his Muhammadan subjects to perform their ceremonial without molestation, yet it was found necessary to prohibit the call to prayer of the Muezzin, as it roused the Akális to fury. The Mahárájá tried to reduce these fanatics to something like order by forming them into a corps of irregular cavalry, 3000 strong, but this had little
- ↑ The steadiness with which the Envoy's disciplined escort repulsed the raging mob of Akális made a great impression on Ranjít Singh, and not only disposed him to peace, but determined him to train and discipline his own troops in like fashion.
