Abstract
THE SIKHS OF THE PUNJAB.—The present agitation among the Sikhs of the Punjab is critically discussed by a well-informed writer in the February issue of the Fortnightly Review. He points out that numerically the Sikhs constitute only 12 per cent. of the population of the Province, as compared with 51 per cent. Muslims and 36 per cent. Hindus, and that the revival of-Sikh-ism in the periodbefore the war was largely due to its encouragement by the British officers in Sikh regiments. The Sikh, by his aptitude for emigration, is mucn more open to foreign influences than the stay-at-home Hindu, and after the war he has suffered from a “swelled head.” The recent agitation has centred round the management of the Gurudwaras or religious foundations, some of which fell into the hands of ill-conducted Mahants or Abbots, and has been favoured by the influence of outside agitation. We cannot-enter into a discussion of the proposals the writer suggests for the control of the agitation and the redress of legitimate grievances. But as an episode in the history of one of the leading fighting races of India we may direct attention to this comprehensive review of a situation which, if not dealt with in a states man like way, may have serious consequences.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Research Items. Nature 111, 234–236 (1923). https://doi.org/10.1038/111234a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/111234a0