The Relief of Chitral

• The complete text of the first edition of 1895
• Its eighth chapter, “The Present Situation”, omitted in the edition of 1910
• The authors’ Preface of 1895
• All twenty-four illustration positions of 1895, in their original places
• Twenty-three plates of photographs, plans and sketches
• Publisher’s foreword: The Gate in the Hindu Kush
• The authors and their careers
• Historical introduction: The Frontier before the Siege
• The garrison of Chitral: officers, strength, arms and supply
• The Chitral Relief Force: complete order of battle
• Transport and supply of the Relief Force
• Kelly’s column: The Road across the Snow
• Principal commanders on both sides
• The honours of Chitral, after The London Gazette
• The India Medal and its Chitral clasps
• Duty in the High Passes: the publisher’s closing essay
• Chronology, glossary and note on this edition

The first-hand history of the siege and relief of Chitral, 1895, in the complete text of the first edition.

In March 1895, deep in the Hindu Kush, the British Agent at Chitral and his escort were besieged in the fort of the Mehtars by the forces of Sher Afzul and Umra Khan of Jandul. Ninety-nine men of the 14th Sikhs and three hundred of the Kashmir Infantry under Captain Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend held the walls for forty-seven days against fire, sap and mine.

Two columns marched to their relief. Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Low led three brigades over the Malakand and through Swat and Dir; from Gilgit, Lieutenant-Colonel James Graves Kelly brought four hundred men of the 32nd Pioneers and two mountain guns across the snows of the Shandur Pass, the Pioneers carrying the guns themselves.

Written within months by two brothers who served in the campaign and reported it for The Times, The Relief of Chitral was greeted by The Spectator in November 1895: “To all who can enjoy military history this will be a fascinating book.”

DUTY · DISCIPLINE · RELIEF

THE GREEN SERIES · THE BRITISH EMPIRE COLLECTION · AETERNUS

First published: Macmillan and Co., London, 1895.

GREEN SERIES · THE BRITISH EMPIRE COLLECTION

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