The Chitral Campaign

Chitral-an iconic episode in the history of the British RajAnyone interested in the history of the British Empire in India and particularly of the post-mutiny Raj period will know that as the British moved into the wild mountainous country of the North West Frontier and Afghanistan they came to the limit of their influence and power on the sub continent. This was the ’burning border’-difficult if not impossible to control, occupied by fierce tribesmen ever ready to resist invaders and perpetually vulnerable to powers beyond it who might employ it as a corridor for incursions into Hindustan. This was the country of ’the Great Game,’ made famous by Kipling, where, ’two thousand pounds of education drops to a ten-rupee jezail.’ Chitral, situated in what is now northern Pakistan, was a challenge to the army of the Queen Empress Victoria and remains no less so for armies who have occupied it right up to modern times. It became the location of one of those ’back against the wall’ struggles of grit, resolution and heroism which have become legendary in the history of the British Army ranking with episodes such as the defence of Rorkes Drift during the Zulu War or the broken square at Abu Klea in the Sudan. An isolated fort commanded by British officers and manned by Indian Army troops was besieged by hostile tribesmen and held out under the most extraordinary hardships until eventually relieved. As hostilities flared up throughout the region small units were attacked and often annihilated until the inevitable forces of retribution could be mustered and marched to the rescue and to restore imperial ’order.’ This is a riveting book -which rapidly draws the reader from one action to the next-about an extremely interesting and event filled episode of the late Victorian era. It is augmented by first hand accounts from participants and benefits from numerous contemporary photographs which show the scenes of many of the actions described and the appearance and equipment of the protagonists; interesting maps and diagrams also illuminate the text.Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.