The Relief of ChitralYounghusband, G. J. (George John)
History
The Relief of Chitral
Younghusband, G. J. (George John)
India -- History -- Chitral Campaign, 1895
With the fuller knowledge we now possess it is possible to give more
in detail the physical features of the country through which the
Relief column of Peshawur passed. Skirting the broad open plain in
which Peshawur is situated is a range of mountains varying from 3,000
feet to 6,000 feet in height, and known locally and collectively as
the "border hills," for, generally speaking, the British border runs
along the foot of this range. Beyond the border range lies the richly
cultivated Swat Valley, varying in width from two miles to three miles,
and having an extent of some thirty-six miles lengthways. Down this
valley flows the Swat River, a considerable stream at all times of the
year, but after the snows begin to melt, and the summer rains burst, a
large and rapid river. Some estimate of the size of the river may be
gained by noting that at the point first bridged by our troops, it is
about half-a-mile wide from bank to bank, being split up into seven
channels each requiring a separate bridge. The north side of the Swat
Valley is formed by the Laram range of mountains varying from 5,000
feet to 6,000 feet in height. Beyond the Laram range we come to the
southern extremity of the Principality of Dir, down the main valley of
which flows the formidable and treacherous Panjkora River. This river
which one day is fordable may the next be found a roaring torrent, many
feet deep; indeed on one occasion it rose fourteen feet within a few
hours, with little or no warning. The Panjkora Valley throughout its
length is narrow, with steep rocky spurs constantly running down to the
water's edge, and except in the depth of winter when the water is at
its lowest, was not suitable, without extensive road making, for the
passage of troops.
Lying to the east of the Panjkora Valley, and separated from it by high
ranges, we find the broad, open, fertile valleys of Jandul and Bajaur,
the former of these being the original home and limited territory of
the chief Umra Khan, against whose power the British expedition was
mainly directed. Skirting the north end of the Jandul Valley comes
the Janbatai range, varying from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet in height,
crossing which we drop into a series of narrow, rocky valleys which
betoken the approaches to some great mountain range. Such are the
Baraul and Upper Dir Valleys, with no room for cultivation on any
scale, and barely capable of supporting a miserably poor and backward
race. Running transversely across the north corner of Dir territory we
come to the mighty range of mountains, from 10,000 feet to 20,000 feet
in height, over which the Lowarai Pass alone gives military access to
the Chitral Valley. The Chitral Valley is itself very narrow and rocky,
much on a par with the Panjkora Valley, and was, till a track was cut,
very difficult for the passage of troops.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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