Granthís, or reciting a passage which they had learned by heart.
No change took place in Sikh doctrine after the promulgation of Govind Singh's precepts, but as has been elsewhere shown, the practice grew more and more lax, till within recent years a new sect of reformers arose, founded originally by an Udási fakír of Ráwal Pindi. His successor, a carpenter of the Ludhiána district, named Rám Singh, rose to considerable importance and attached to himself a large number of fanatical disciples known as Kukas, who were distinguished by a peculiar dress and by secret watchwords and political organization.
The original movement was religious, an attempt to reform the- Sikh practice and restore it to the character it possessed in the time of Govind Singh. As the sect grew in numbers, its ambition increased, till, at last, it preached a revival of the Khálsa and the downfall of the British Government. At this time I happened to be the Chief Secretary to the Punjab Government, and the proceedings of the Kukas caused a great amount of anxiety and trouble. They were not, however, in spite of their seditious teaching, interfered with until they broke into open revolt and attacked the Muhammadan town of Máler Kotla near Ludhiána. The insurrection was put down with great severity and some fifty of the rebels were blown from guns after summary trial. At the same time all the Kuka leaders in different districts of the Punjab were arrested in one night and deported, some to Rangoon,
