3-052-343 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in Afghanistan: an Afghan sungha, or rifle pit, 1880. Engraving of a sketch by 'Mr. W. Simpson, our Special Artist..."The Afghans have a custom, in almost all their fighting operations which will allow of it, to make what they call sunghas. That is, a sort of rifle-pit, made with stone. "Sung" is a Persian word, meaning "stone," and hence the name. When we read in the telegrams that General Gough has been attacked at Jugdulluk, and that the Afghans fired into his camp, we may be sure that they have made sunghas, and that it is from behind these primitive sort of fortifications they are doing so. At the battle of Futtehabad, which took place on April 2, the Khugianis had erected sunghas all along the line of heights which formed their position, and there awaited the attack, with banners waving at the more prominent points. It was the same in the Bazar Valley, when General Tytler made a raid in that direction early last year. If the Afghans should venture near enough to Sherpur, where General Roberts has taken up his position, and try to annoy the troops, it will be by making these simple kinds of protection and lying behind them with their long jezails, watching till chance gives them a shot at anyone venturing out of the mud walls".' From "Illustrated London News", 1880.