After the annexation of Punjab to the empire, around 1850 the Britishers sought the help of intellectuals and scholars to study the Sikh psyche or character.

In his book "Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Sikhs", Lepil Griphin made the following observations regarding the Sikh character:

"...the Sikh is always the same, same in peace, in war, in barracks or in the field, ever genial, good tempered and uncomplaining, a fair horseman, a stubborn infantry soldier, as steady under fire as he is eager for a charge. However, when his self-respect or the honour of his women-folk is at stake, he becomes desperate and will stop at nothing short of murder. He does not pocket an insult, bides his opportunity for revenge and becomes quite unmindful of consequences. When aroused, he has the fury of 10 elephants. It is difficult to check him. He becomes excited, loses his mental equilibrium and does not care for the consequences of his action. You may break him but you cannot bend him. When he is in desperate mood, he responds only to tactful handling sympathetic treatment and persuasion. Any coercive measure taken against him hardened his mood of desperation. Handling in tactful measures, he easily forgives and forgets and is ready to side with his erstwhile enemies. "

From the Tribune, January 29, 1990