Later Mughals v1.c6.s16.6

v1.c6.s16.6

Sikhism, as thus modified by Govind Singh, lost all trace of an elevated ideal that Nanak may have imparted to it. The Jat race, the numerical majority in the Sikh community, has many virtues, and the Jat in his capacity of an agriculturist is perhaps unrivalled. But as a Panjabi proverb says "The Jat, like a wound, is better when bound". (Ibbetson, 221.) In fact, under the Sikh regime, when he came to the top as soldier and ruler, he took as vigorously to plunder as he did in quieter days to the plough. Although tobacco is prohibited the use of alcohol is not, and the Sikhs have always had the reputation of being very hard drinkers. They are also addicted to the intoxicating preparation of hemp called *bhang*. By the rules of the sect all members should eat together and intermarry whatever their original caste may have been. But Hindu prejudice still survives in practice so strongly, that Sikhs coming from the higher castes will not eat with others of inferior origin, and it is only on the rare occasion of a *sangat*, or religious gathering, at the holy place Amritsar, that the rule is observed in its integrity.