Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/79

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CHAPTER V.

STRUGGLES OF THE KHALSA FOR POSSESSION OF THE PUNJAB.

After Govind's death, the Khalsa was left without any real head. Sucli a body with its turbulent elements could not remain quiet, and unfortunately some of them came under the evil influence of a Hindu ascetic, a late Sikh convert and friend of the deceased Guru, who posed as his successor, intrusted by him with the command to avenge his martyred father's blood and that of his young innocent sons. This false apostle appealed to their feelings of revenge, excited at the moment by the circumstances of Govind's death, and led them in a crusade against the hated Maliomedans when the spirit of the ruthless Goth in them