Mehtar of Chitral receiving the Chief Commissioner on top of the Lowari Pass, 1919

Photograph, North West Frontier, India, 1919.

The Lowari Pass was the main route into Chitral from Peshawar. On the outbreak of the 3rd Afghan War (1919) Emir Amanullah of Afghanistan called on the Chitralis to expel the British and sent his forces into the state. However, the Mehtar of Chitral, Shuja-al-Mulk, remained loyal to the British and put his state forces at their disposal. Alongside the Chitral Scouts and regular Indian Army units they helped repel the Afghan incursion into Chitral. No doubt the earlier visit of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Roos-Keppel, the Chief Commissioner of North West Frontier Province, helped convince the Mehtar to support the British.

From an album compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel G J Davis, India, North West Frontier.