Indian soldiers at Sorarogha in Waziristan, 1919

Photograph, India, North West Frontier, 1919.

Around 10,000 Indian soldiers were sent into Waziristan, on the border between Afghanistan and India (now the Afghanistan-Pakistan border) in 1919-1920. Local leaders had taken advantage of British involvement in the 3rd Afghan War in 1919 to challenge their control of the area. Despite their modern weapons and equipment, the Indian Army suffered some defeats and learned many lessons on modern frontier warfare.

From an album of 116 photographs taken and compiled by T M Layng, 62nd Brigade, Waziristan Force, May 1919 to September 1920 during the Waziristan Campaign.