'The meeting between Cavagnari and the Khan of Lalpura at Dakka in February 1879'

Pencil drawing by Frederick Villiers, special artist of the 'Graphic'.

Major Sir Louis Cavagnari (1841-1879) had served in India in military and political roles for 20 years before heading the diplomatic mission turned back by Sher Ali in 1878. He joined the Peshawar Valley Field Force when war was declared. Here he is sketched by his friend Frederic Villiers, 'special artist' for 'The Graphic' illustrated newspaper.

The Khan of Lalpura was one of the most powerful Mohmand chiefs in the Peshawar valley. Initially, he was on fairly good terms with the British but after Major-General Frederick Roberts' arrest of Yakub Khan's wife - who was also the Khan's daughter - for spying, the outraged Mohmands began systematically to harass the British line of supply near Jellalabad.