Taku Fort, China, 1860

Photograph by Felice Beato (1825-1907), 2nd China War (1856-1860), 1860.

Situated in an area of marshland and mudflats around the mouth of the Peiho River, the Taku Forts guarded the river approach to Peking (Bejing). The Chinese had developed an elaborate series of defences, including deep ditches and massed sharpened bamboo stakes, presenting formidable difficulties to any attacker.

From a photograph album of 39 photographs.