3-082-684 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Chitral Expedition: Musjid in the Serai, Chitral: the Mountain Trichmir in the distance, 1895. 'Excursion to Pudja Mountain and Kasmir Smats Cave [by General Sir Michael Biddulph]...After marching some distance over the plain we made our way up the gorge into the fastnesses of the mountain, and daylight found us on the flank of Pudja itself. A climb of five thousand feet is no trifle, and I found the task a severe one after the sedentary life at Simla on the staff. We moved with all due precautions. These border villagers naturally understand all the arts of war, so, quite effectively guarded, we reached the summit, and there what a view all around! Back over the Yusufzai and Peshawur plains we could see where lay the Kaibar [Khyber] Pass, and then where stood Peshawur, Nowshera, and Attock on the great historical road down to India...No doubt our relations with the border tribes after the present operations are over will become less strained. The civilising effect of the road and the come and go of trade will be felt, and the future explorer of Kasmir Smats will not need to make his visit there so hasty or so mysterious an affair as mine was'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.