3-075-097 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

With the Niti Field Force, on the road to the Thibetan Frontier, 1890. '1. A rough road for the mule transport. 2. The camp at Bamplas, 14,153 ft. above sea-level. 3. Camp at Surai Thota. 4. Crossing the Marchauk Pass; the first glimpse of Thibet. From sketches by Major C. Pulley, 3rd Goorkhas, commanding the force...The Thibetan frontier of India, north of Kumaon, which adjoins Nepaul, has lately been disturbed by marauding raids. To chastise the offending tribes, in November last a small military force...having proceeded from Almorah up to Niti, began its advance in three detachments; one traversing the Marchauk and Chor Hoti mountain passes, while another made its way round by the Girthi valley. They did not find the enemy, who had fled as they advanced; but the approach to Barahoti, 15,000 ft. above sea-level, and where, in December, the climate is intensely cold, with bitter winds from the glaciers and snows of the Himalayas, made this service tolerably severe...the men had difficulty breathing as they marched. The transport of baggage and stores was performed by the aid of those useful beasts the "jubus," described as a cross between the ox and the "yak"...All the streams were frozen; the nights and mornings were intensely cold'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.