The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab

Shere Ali Khan was Amir of Afghanistan from 1863 to 1879. Trouble with the British finally led to the Second Afghan War, 1879-1880. He was defeated by the British and was forced to flee Afghanistan, dying in exile.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'. John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Amir Shere Ali, Prince of Abdulah Jan, and Sirdars', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

Shere Ali sits in the middle with his arm around a young boy dressed in a military uniform, perhaps the Amir's son or grandson. The Amir is surrounded by his Sirdars, a title for high ranking military officials. Below the photograph is a reproduction of a document signed by European prisoners in Kabul during the First Afghan War in 1842.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Afridi Picket near to Jumrood', taken by John Burke in 1878.

Afridi was the name for a powerful independent tribe living on the Indian border around the Khyber Pass in Peshwar. These soldiers are posing in front of a sangar, a small stone fortification common in Afghanistan and Northern India.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Khyber Side of Sarkai Hill', taken by John Burke in 1878.

The photograph shows a group of the Queens Own Guides on the side of a hill. These scouts have entered Afghanistan in advance of the main column of soldiers to check for ambushes.

The full title of the photograph is 'Khyber Side of Sarkai Hill. Officers of the (QO) Guides Reconnoitering'.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'. John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Sons of Nowroz Khan With Attendants', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows a group of young Afghans, sons of a tribal ruler.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Shergai Heights, Looking Towards Ali Musjid. Camp of Third Brigade. Enemy's Defences in The Distance', taken by John Burke, in November 1878.

The Third Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Frederick Ernest Appleyard was made up of the 81st North Lancashire Regiment, the 14th Sikhs and 27th Punjabis.

The Brigade is here paused before the attack on the important fort of Ali Masjid, or Musjid. The attack on this fortress on 21st November 1878 was the opening battle of the Second Afghan War. The full title of the photograph is 'Shergai Heights, Looking Towards Ali Musjid. Camp of Third Brigade. Enemy's Defences in The Distance' and it was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

A photograph entitled 'Ali Musjid, Interior of Fort Looking Towards Kuta', taken by John Burke in 1878.

The photograph shows the Afghani fort of Ali Musjid, or Masjid, after its capture by the British on 22 November 1878 during the Second Afghan War. The fort of Ali Masjid controlled the Afghan side of the Khyber Pass.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

The 51st King's Own Light Infantry (Second Yorkshire West Riding Regiment) served on the Indian Frontier between 1875 and 1887. In the Second Afghan War the regiment served in the Fourth Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W Browne.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Ali Musjid and Surroundings from Rotass, Looking Down on Fort Showing Ascent With River', taken by John Burke in 1878.

The photograph shows the fort of Ali Musjid, or Masjid, the fort controlled the Afghan side of the Khyber Pass. The first battle of the Second Afghan War saw its capture by the British on 22 November 1878.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Shadi Bagiar Entrance to Khyber Pass', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows a camel train at the entrance to the Khyber pass at Shadi Bagiar. The Khyber Pass is the most important pass between Afghanistan and India.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Kutchi (Gypsy) Village near Dacca', taken by John Burke.

The photograph shows the small village near Dacca, or Dakka. A group of locals, described in the title as gypsies, sit in the foreground on the left, with two Indian soldiers standing guard on the right.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Dakka Fort, Western End, Looking Towards Khurd Khyber', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

Dakka sits at the Afghani end of the Khyber Pass. The Peshawar Valley Field Force rested at Dakka fort for three weeks following its march through the Khyber Pass in November 1878.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Halt of Prisoners from Bassaule', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows soldiers of the 45th Rattray's Sikh Regiment guarding Afghan prisoners.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Khyber Chiefs and Khans with Captain Tucker, Political Officer', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows a group of Afghan chieftains sitting beneath the walls of a fort, in the centre of the group sits a British political officer, Captain Tucker.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Lieut General Sir S J Browne and Staff', taken by John Burke in May 1879.

The photograph shows Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel James Browne (1824-1901) with his staff at his headquarters in Gandamak, Afghanistan. As Commander of the Peshawar Field Force, Browne captured the fort of Ali Masjid during the opening battle of the Second Afghan War in November 1878.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

A photograph entitled 'Jellallabad Main Street', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows the main street in Jalalabad (Jellallabad), Afghanistan.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Jellallabad, the Bastion Where General Elphinstone and Others Were Buried During The Siege in 1841-1842', taken by John Burke, c. 1878.

The photograph shows the tower containing the bodies of General Elphinstone and other British soldiers killed during the retreat of the Kabul garrison to Jalalabad (or Jellallabad) during the First Afghan War in January 1842.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

A photograph entitled 'Jellallabad, the Amir's Garden Sidewalk', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows two soldiers standing on a path in the Amir's Garden in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Major Cavagnari', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows Major Sir Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari (1841-1879) during discussions at Gandamak with local Afghans.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Jellallabad - Scenes in Camp', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows a group of Afghan soldiers in the British camp at Jalalabad (or Jellallabad), Afghanistan.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Jellallabad - Scenes in Camp', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows the British camp at Jalalabad in Afghanistan. The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'The Amir Yakub Khan', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows a British cavalry escort at an historic meeting in Afghanistan. As the escort look on, the Amir Yaqub Khan (d. 1914) can be seen in the road on the left meeting with Major Sir Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari (1841-1879).

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.

A photograph entitled 'Mr Jenkyns, Major Cavagnari CIS, Amir Yakub Khan, Habeebula Mustafii, General Daod Shah in Conference', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows the Afghan Amir Yaqub Khan (d. 1914) and the British diplomat Major Sir Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari (1841-1879) in conference at Gandamak, Afghanistan.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

A photograph entitled 'The Amir's Highlanders', taken by John Burke in 1879.

The photograph shows Afghan soldiers dressed in kilts. The Afghans were so impressed with the ferocity and fighting skills of the British Highland regiments that Afghan troops were dressed in kilts in imitation.

The photograph was published in the album 'The Afghan War, Attogk to Jellalabad, Gandamak and Surkhab'.

John Burke recorded the evolution of British India in the late 19th Century, and accompanied the British Indian army on its advance into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War of 1878-1879.