The Dark Defile
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Masson, C. Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan and the Punjab and Kalat
Ram, Subedar Sita. From Sepoy to Subedar. (The authenticity of this account had been queried because of some inconsistencies and inaccuracies. However, like most historians, I have accepted its veracity. Any errors seem to me to be attributable to the distance in time between the events described and when they were set down.)
Sale, Lady. A Journal of the Disasters in Afghanistan, 1841–2
Stocqueler, J. H. Life of Sir William Nott, which includes much of Nott’s Memoirs and Correspondence. (All quotes from Nott come from this book unless otherwise stated.)
Sir John Kaye’s detailed History of the War in Afghanistan was published shortly after the war (in 1851, revised in 1857) and used and attributed many contemporary primary sources. Despite the heated debates about the war that were still continuing at the time Kaye’s history was published, the authenticity of the documents he quotes was never queried. This is important since some, for example Eldred Pottinger’s journal of Herat, were subsequently destroyed in a fire in his study.
ABBREVIATIONS
AUCK
Auckland Papers, British Library
BROU
Broughton Papers, British Library
ELLEN
Ellenborough Papers, British National Archives (formerly Public Record Office [PRO])
P. P.
Parliamentary Papers for 1839, 1843 and 1859 about the Afghan War and its background. (The 1859 papers are a full edition—produced at Parliament’s request by Sir John Kaye—of those published in 1839, from which some documents were completely missing and some had been edited, leading to them being called “garbled.”)
WELLES
Wellesley Papers, British Library
PRELUDE
1 “The consequence … that country”: Quoted in Sir J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 378.
1 “The colours … subjects”: Major Hamlet Wade, quoted in H. Mackenzie, Storms and Sunshine of a Soldier’s Life, vol. 1, p. 272.
2 Learning … Mecca: Hawkins’s account of his journey to and life at the Mogul court is from Early Travels in India, edited by W. Foster, pp. 81 and 83.
3 “the abandoned … wealth … every spark … extinguished”: T. Wilkinson, Two Monsoons, p. 4.
5 “a delegation … the East”: Quoted in J. H. Waller, Beyond the Khyber Pass, p. xxv.
6 “He is … govern”: Queen Victoria’s letter to her uncle the Belgian king of 11 June 1844, Benson and Asher, The Letters of Queen Victoria—1837–1861, vol. 2, p. 14.
7 “Poor … she … shrink”: Quoted in J. Morris, Heaven’s Command, p. 26.
7 Although the United States, of which Michigan became the twenty-sixth state in 1837, and its 17 million population might seem at this stage of history to have been remote from jockeyings for power in Central Asia, this is not entirely the case. British cotton manufacturers preferred the less brittle, longer-staple, American cotton to that produced in India. Slaves in the southern cotton fields were laboring to produce the raw material for Britain’s cotton mills which fueled its commercial aspirations. Also, many academic historians have seen parallels between America’s push westward and Russian expansion south and east into Central Asia. In the case of Georgia, where gold had been discovered in the western hills, American expansion was by a treaty at least as “unequal” as that by which the British compelled the Chinese to cede Hong Kong. It forced the Cherokee from their homes in Georgia onto the so-called Trail of Tears in late spring 1838 on which a quarter of the thirteen thousand who set out died.
CHAPTER ONE
Unless otherwise indicated, all quotes describing Mountstuart Elphinstone’s journey are from his Account of the Kingdom of Caubul.
10 “[I] pushed him … passage”: Quoted in Sir J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol 1, p. 69.
10 “imperious superiority”: M. Lal, Life of the Amir Dost Mohammed, p. 8.
10 “to allow … French”: 22 August 1809, Treaty No. 6, P. P. Indian Papers No. 2, 1839.
11 “it was better … guilt and shame”: Quoted in J. H. Waller, Beyond the Khyber Pass, p. 17.
13 “nothing … a bird”: B. Gascoigne, The Great Moghuls, p. 13.
15 “They know … each other!”: Colonel W. H. Dennie, Personal Narrative of the Campaigns in Afghanistan, p. 62.
16 “the dire … polygamy”: Sir P. Sykes, A History of Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 392.
19 “the beard … of tears”: Captain James Abbott, quoted in G. Bruce, Retreat from Kabul, p.16.
20 “Peradventure … wordly affairs”: J. H. Stocqueler, Life of Sir William Nott, p. 104.
20 “Russia … the keys”: Quoted in J. A. Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 28.
CHAPTER TWO
Where not otherwise indicated, all quotes describing Burnes’s journey are from his own account, Travels into Bokhara.
21 “Commerce … enlightened community”: Quoted in N. Fergusson, Empire, p. xviii.
21 “No British … in triumph”: 9 December 1829, Edward Law (Lord Ellenborough), Political Diary, vol. 2., p. 144.
21 “Mind … languages, sir!”: Sir G. Lawrence, Forty-Three Years in India, p. 2.
22 “on the … honour”: Sir J. W. Kaye, Lives of Indian Officers, vol. 2, p. 17.
22 “The navigation … view”: A. Burnes, Travels into Bokhara, vol. 3, p. 2.
22 “might … Central Asia”: 12 January 1830, quoted in J. A. Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 40.
23 “since … by water”: A. Burnes, Travels into Bokhara, vol. 3, p. 3.
23 “the scheme … war”: Quoted in Sir J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 176.
23 “its facilities … your researches”: J. Lunt, Bokhara Burnes, p. 38.
23 “Alas!… its conquest”: Ibid.
25 “horses … to England … excited … elephants”: Burnes, Travels into Bokhara, vol. 3, pp. 152–53.
28 “The Home … they want”: Burnes’s letter to his sister of September 1831, Kaye, Lives of Indian Officers, vol. 2, p. 20.
CHAPTER THREE
Where not otherwise indicated, all quotes describing Burnes’s journey are from his Cabool Being a Personal Narrative of a Journey to and Residence in That City in the Years 1836–38.
37 Everything … saddled”: Quoted in J. A. Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 68.
37 “religiously … neighbours”: 20 October 1832, P. P. 1839 Indian Papers No. 3.
41 “fly … elephant”: J. H. Waller, Beyond the Khyber Pass, p. 79.
43 “the law … of nations”: L. Mitchell, Literary Review, October 2010, p. 6.
43 “doing … in India”: Quoted in Sir J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 167.
43 “the right … obligations … it is … extensive”: Quoted in Anon., Progress and Present Position of Russia in the East, pp. 150–51.
44 “to interfere … Afghanistan”: Quoted in Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 90.
44 “would not … possessions”: Quoted in ibid., p. 85.
44 “a dry … Sanskrit”: Quoted in Dictionary of National Biography entry for Macnaghten and J. Lunt, Scarlet Lancer, p. 171.
44 “dry … rude”: Quoted in Lunt, Scarlet Lancer, p. 171.
45 “The field … Paradise … reckless … Sikhs … [I hope] … own”: 31 May 1836, P. P. 1839, Indian Papers No. 5.
45 “depute some gentleman … My friend … benefit”: 22 August 1836, P. P. 1839, Indian Papers No. 5.
45 “the best … Afghanistan”: Lord Auckland to Dost Mohammed, 15 May 1837, P. P. 1839, Indian Papers No. 5.
46 “All … applied”: H. Mackenzie, Storms and Sunshine of a Soldier’s Life, p. 145.
47 “a narrow … of the pass”: G. Lawrence, Reminiscences of Forty-Three Years in India, p. 33–34.
48 “either … men:”: G. Whitteridge, Charles Masson of Afghanistan, p. 123.
48 “My house … each o
ther”: Undated letter dispatched April 1837, P. P. 1859.
49 “In any case … sovereign”: 15 May 1837, ibid.
50 “under any … Ranjit Singh”: 11 September 1837, ibid.
50 “placing … bosom”: Quoted in P. Macrory, Kabul Catastrophe, p. 57.
50 “In a settlement … ends”: 23 December 1837, P. P. 1859.
51 “The chiefs … Kandahar?”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 190.
51 “In the critical … Indus”: 23 December 1837, P. P. 1859.
51 “We are … here … Herat … dinner”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 196.
51 “knew … and us”: Ibid.
52 “the one strong man … now … side”: Quoted in J. Lunt, Bokhara Burnes, p. 182.
52 “conform … guidance”: 20 January 1838, P. P. 1859.
52 “asked … return”: Quoted in Lunt, Bokhara Burnes, p. 183.
52 “had often … own”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 206.
53 “at a … Turkestan … Were the Afghans … British?”: Quoted in ibid., p. 205.
54 “I expected … disappointed”: 23 April 1838, P. P. 1859.
54 “I came … arrived”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 183.
CHAPTER FOUR
55 “It is … Russia’s”: Quoted in J. A. Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 176.
55 “If dirt … filth”: Lieutenant A. Conolly, Journey to the North of India, vol. 2, pp. 3–4.
56 “We gave … come”: Sir J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 162.
56 By late November … a course: All quotes in these paragraphs are from Pottinger’s journal, quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, pp. 229, 231 and 245.
58 “leave … fate … intrigue … frontiers … attempt … Afghanistan … most expedient”: Lord Auckland’s partly unpublished memo of 12 May 1838, quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 319 and partly given in P. P. 1839, Indian Papers No. 4.
59 “where … Hindustan”: Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 312.
59 “this would … milk”: Quoted in ibid., p. 326.
59 Negotiations … great deal”: All quotes in these two paragraphs are from a letter of 2 June 1838, P. P. 1859 except for “not as … produced,” which is from a letter in Sir J. W. Kaye, Lives of Indian Officers, vol. 2, p. 65.
61 “55 high-bred horses … paces … musk … quinces”: Tripartite Treaty, P. P. 1839, Indian Papers No. 1.
61 “oppose … ability”: Ibid.
62 “the fact … consequence”: Macnaghten’s letter of 17 July 1838, quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 2, p. 347.
62 “could be induced … countrymen”: Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 328.
62 “Every … weakness”: Letter to Sir Charles Metcalfe, in ibid., p. 359.
62 “Make … west”: Quoted in A. Bilgrami, Afghanistan and British India, p. 15.
63 “We are … England”: 22 July 1838, Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, pp 366–67.
64 “no result … support”: Colvin to Pottinger, 15 August 1838, AUCK 37694, folio 15.
64 “I shall … wisely”: Auckland to Skinner, 21 August 1838, ibid., folio 10.
64 “an adventurer … Kandahar”: Kaye, History, vol. 1, 209.
64 Following … is gone”: All quotes in this paragraph are from ibid, pp. 284–45 and 382.
65 The Simla Manifesto of 1 October 1838 was widely reproduced, e.g., as an annex to H. Havelock’s book.
65 justice … necessity … “in a manner … language”: P. Macrory, Kabul Catastrophe, p. 81.
66 “Auckland has … British”: Quoted in P. Hopkirk, The Great Game, p. 190.
67 “to prosecute … frontier”: 8 November 1838, the full text is quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, pp. 383–84.
67 Lord Auckland wrote to the Secret Committee on 13 August 1838 warning of unrest in neighboring states, P. P. 1839, No. 4.
67 “I could … Russia”: Auckland to Hobhouse, 13 October 1838, BROU 36473, folios 331–38.
67 “The Afghan … with it”: Evidence before the Official Salaries Committee of the House of Commons, 1850, quoted in H. Mackenzie, Storms and Sunshine of a Soldier’s Life, p. 302.
67 “the Russian fiend … empire”: Quoted in Hopkirk, The Great Game, p. 192.
67 “You must … ground”: Quoted in J. Stewart, Crimson Snow, p. 39.
68 “You will … hopeless … If you succeed … out”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 379.
68 “an act … folly”: G. Bruce, Retreat from Kabul, p. 25.
68 “We have … establish it”: Quoted in Norris, The First Afghan War, p. 228.
68 “rocks … snow”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 378.
68 “act of infatuation”: Quoted in J. H. Waller, Beyond the Khyber Pass, p. 128.
68 “The consequences … country”: Duke of Wellington to Mr. Tucker, in ibid.
CHAPTER FIVE
69 “all dressed … jewels”: E. Eden, Up the Country, p. 205.
69 “dreadfully … drum”: Ibid., pp. 204–5.
70 “I … needed … I think … under”: Quoted in P. Macrory, Kabul Catastrophe, p. 84.
71 “From beneath … elephants … gorgeously … cloth”: D. H. Mackinnon, Military Service and Adventures in the Far East by a Cavalry Officer, pp. 62 and 65.
72 “exactly … eye”: Eden, Up the Country, p. 198.
72 “slight … debauchery”: Mackinnon, Military Service and Adventures, p. 62.
72 “of frosted … gold”: Ibid., p. 66.
72 “I could … Lady J’s”: Eden, Up the Country, p. 208.
72 “unbridled … spirits”: Mackinnon, Military Service and Adventures, p. 62.
72 “horrible … swallow it:” Eden, Up the Country, p. 207.
72 “Nobody … vanities”: Ibid., p. 209.
72 “I don’t … instructions”: Macrory, Kabul Catastrophe, p. 84.
72 “What … bags!… What resounding … them”: G. Bruce, Retreat from Kabul, p. 29.
73 “regarded … cologne”: Macrory, Kabul Catastrophe, p. 86.
73 “always … in India”: Letter of General Nott quoted in Stocqueler, Life of Sir William Nott, p. 106.
75 “the ramrod … cartridges”: F. G. Greenwood, Narrative of the Late Victorious Campaigns, p. 216.
75 [To cross … deserted … were … unclean”: Quoted in Subedar Sita Ram, From Sepoy to Subedar, pp. 85 and 88.
75 “I should … visited … What … moon”: T. W. E. Holdsworth, The Campaign of the Indus, p. 3.
76 “neither … frontier” Sir: J. W. Kaye, History of the War in Afghanistan, vol. 1, p. 401.
76 The task … Indus: All quotes in this paragraph are from W. Broadfoot, The Career of Major George Broadfoot, p. 7.
77 “Not content … this”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 419.
77 “the cool … sand”: J. Atkinson, The Expedition into Afghanistan, p. 105.
78 “marched … abstinence”: Sir H. Durand, The First Afghan War and Its Causes, p. 92.
78 “Our … water”: S. Ram, From Sepoy to Subedar, p. 88.
78 “could never … nation”: Quoted in Kaye, History, vol. 1, p. 425.
79 “not … seen,” Letter of General Nott, quoted in Stocqueler, Life of Sir William Nott, p. 111.
80 “in … putrefaction”: Holdsworth, The Campaign of the Indus, p. 68.
80 “to wrap … kebabs in”: Ibid., p. 52.
80 “if … Ocean”: Bengal Hurkaru and Chronicle, January 1834, quoted in P. Macrory and G. Pottinger, The Ten-Rupee Jezail, p. 192.
80 “as long as I live”: Nott’s letter of 9 April 1839, quoted in Stocqueler, Life of Sir William Nott, p. 121.
82 “commenced … do so”: Major J. Outram, Rough Notes of the Campaign in Sind and Affghanistan, p. 122.
82 “no … cattle”: W. Hough, March and Operations of the Army of the Indus, p. 90.
83 “without … expect”: Sir G. Lawrence, Forty-Three Years in India, p. 11.
83 “The truth … ruler … he … la
ws”: Quoted in Ram, From Sepoy to Subedar, p. 90.
83 “horrible”: Letter of 8 June 1839, quoted in Holdsworth, The Campaign of the Indus, pp. 74–76.
83 “First … Mind”: Undated memo, BROU 36470, folios 19–21.
84 “dug … latter … the sheet-anchors … historians”: Kaye, History, vol. 1., pp. 203–4.
84 “All my … set up!”: Quoted in Sir John Kaye, Lives of Indian Officers, vol. 2, p. 65.
84 “the garbled”: Kaye, History, vol. 1, pp. 202–4 for his views on the “garbled” official correspondence relating to the reasons for going to war.
84 “mutilated” and “eviscerated”: H. Lushington, A Great Country’s Little Wars in Afghanistan and Scinde, p. 62.
CHAPTER SIX
86 “You … king?”: Quoted in Sir G. Lawrence, Forty-Three Years in India, pp. 12–13.
88 “Were huddled … beheaded”: M. Lal, Life of the Amir Dost Mohammed, p. 104.
89 “There … over”: T. W. E. Holdsworth, The Campaign of the Indus, p. 22.
89 “when the morning … horizon”: Sir H. M. Durand, The First Afghan War and Its Causes, pp. 177–78.
90 “The fire … bullets”: Holdsworth, The Campaign of the Indus, p. 92.
90 “stunned … concussion … Don’t … failure!”: Quoted in Colonel W. Dennie, Personal Narrative of the Campaigns in Afghanistan, p. 77.
90 “literally … pieces”: Lieutenant Stock, quoted in G. Bruce, Retreat from Kabul, p. 66.
91 “pretty … interesting … inexpressibles”: Quoted in H. E. Fane, Five Years in India, p. 172.
91 “one … globe”: Quoted in W. Hough, March and Operations of the Army of the Indus, p. 203.
91 “the smell … gone”: Quoted in J. Atkinson, The Expedition into Afghanistan, p. 220.
92 “If you … here”: Quoted in ibid., p. 232.
93 “peaches … England”: Fane, Five Years in India, p. 183.
93 “We may … over”: 19 September 1839, quoted in G. Pottinger, The Afghan Connection, p. 95.
CHAPTER SEVEN
94 On the … dimensions”: All quotes in this paragraph are from H. Havelock, Narrative of the War in Afghanistan, pp. 114–15.