that every true Sikh must always have five things with him, their names all commencing with the letter k—namely, kes (long hair of the head: the Sikh must never cut his hair or beard); kangi (comb), to secure the hair tied up in a knot on the top of the head; kachh (breeches reaching to the knee), kard (knife), and kirpan (sword). Rules of conduct were also enjoined by which they were to be known to all the world. All was designed to give the Sikhs a distinct national character in opposition to the ways of other people, and to keep alive a sense of duty and profession of faith. Hindus and Mahomedans are much given to shaving heads and beards: among the Scythians and ancient Hindus shaving the head was an infamous punishment. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate; take the pahal of the Khalsa," was Govind's call to the Sikhs. "I bow with love and devotion to the Holy Sword,"[1] was his
- ↑ Herodotus refers to the worship of the Sword which prevailed among the Scythian Getæ.
