Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/49

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CHAPTER III.

SPREAD OF SIKHISM.

Nine Gurus, all Jats, followed Nanak in succession during a period of 170 years, the tenth and last being the martial Govind Singh, who, after creating the religious military commonwealth of warrior Singhs, declared the dispensation ended. He instituted the distinction between a Sikh and a Singh, for every Sikh is not a Singh. All profess the religion of Nanak, but the Singh in addition has by baptism become a Govindhi Sikh, a Singh of the Guru, a lion of his race.

Nanak's successor as Guru was a humble labouring man, who spread the religion by scrupulously adhering to his master's doctrine and commands. Before his death he, also