Show 1 the tha blohs are a religious reUs toua sect not a race no m man a n la Is born a shih ho fie bo be comes one by the ceremony known as aa the bahul or baptism of the tha sword which is delayed until the candidate has reached years ot of discretion alter after this ceremony every sikh adds singh to his original name sikhism when founded in the fifteenth century was a blending ot of the best feat features ot of the hindu and mohammedan faiths it was a monotheistic sect and a peaceful one but mohammedan persecution transformed the tha sikhs into a military and religious commonwealth As aa befits a fighting creed sikhism is ia one of considerable austerity the greater part of its adherents are bound to ab from tobacco and wine though only very orthodox sikhs observe tho the latter prohibition |