Page:Ranjit Singh (Griffin).djvu/42

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
36
RANJÍT SINGH

govern. And those who would undervalue the Ját Sikh as a useful citizen of the Empire, because his hereditary instincts and training disincline him to learning, would make a great mistake. The Sikh is a fighting man, and his fine qualities are best shown in the army, which is his natural profession. Hardy, brave, and of intelligence too slow to understand when he is beaten, obedient to discipline, devotedly attached to his officers, and careless of the caste prohibitions which render so many Hindu troops difficult to control and to feed on active service, he is unsurpassed as a soldier in the East. There are many warlike races, subjects of the Queen in India, and of these the Sikhs indisputably take the first place as thoroughly reliable, useful soldiers. The Gúrkhas are equally brave and enthusiastic in action, but they unfortunately are few in number, and do not for the most part inhabit British territory. They are mostly Nepálís, and conditions sometimes arise when it is very difficult to obtain high-class and sufficient recruits.

The Rájputs are excellent soldiers, though they have not the solidity of the Sikh. But the high-class Rájput is difficult to procure, and those who come into our service are mostly the half-bred Dogras of the hills, upon whom the Rájputs of the pure blood from Central India look down. Nor will these splendid men join our army until some system be devised of giving them officers of their own race. The Punjábi Muhammadans, Ghakkars, Awáns, Tiwánas are gallant soldiers; so are the Afghán clansmen from the North-