3-083-052 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Chitral Campaign: Sher Afzul and his attendants, 1895. The British Army in India. 'By June 19, it was announced, Lieutenant Harley and one hundred men of the gallant 14th Sikhs Regiment had arrived at Malakand Pass on their way home. The Sikhs were warmly greeted, as, indeed, their valiant and valuable services entitled them to be, and Lieutenant Harley wars also welcomed. His action during the campaign in blowing up one of the enemy's mines has been much praised. Our Illustrations include a very good likeness of Sher Afzul, who might be correctly termed fons et origo mali [ie, source and origin of evil]. This crafty man was certainly responsible in a great measure for the commencement of the trouble of Chitral, which has cost so many lives to suppress...As to the retention of Chitral there is a great variety of opinions. On one aspect of the question there is, however, agreement, and that is the costliness of maintaining the fort in due strength. Its strategic value is a subject now occupying the anxious consideration of [British] military authorities in India and at home'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.