Page:The Sikhs (Gordon).djvu/100

These sardars did not exercise absolute supremacy over their misls, the constitution of which was very democratic and the authority of the chiefs limited. The fighting men exacted a share in the land seized proportionate to the service they had rendered, and merely looked upon the chiefs as leaders in war and arbiters in peace. Many of these chiefs were men of humble birth,—ploughmen, shepherds, or artisans,—all bold stirring men who won their way to be heads of bands of marauding horsemen. They administered according to the law laid down in the 'Granth,' and levied tribute or protection-money from the subdued tracts. All booty taken was divided equally among the chiefs, who in turn subdivided it among their men, who were free to abandon the profession of arms or to transfer their military allegiance from one chief to another,—ever ready to welcome them,—a system of volunteering which was calculated to secure for them good treatment from their chiefs.