Fort at 'Ali Musjid', Khyber Pass, Afghnaistan, 1879 (c)

Photograph, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1879 (c).

The fortress above Ali Masjid, now in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, was constructed in the 1830s. It was built to dominate a narrow gorge, part of the strategically vital Khyber Pass between India and Afghanistan. It was captured by the British during the 1st Afghan War in 1839 and by the Peshawar Valley Field Force, commanded by General Sir Samuel Browne, in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) in 1878. With the Khyber Pass in their control the British established their own fort to dominate the heights above Ali Masjid.

From an album of 61 photographs, compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel C A Mercer, 4th Gurkha Regiment.