All ranks of the 40th Pathans at Lhala House, Lhasa, Tibet, August 1904

Photograph, Tibet (1903-1904), 1904.

In 1903-1904 the 40th Pathans took part in Major Francis Younghusband's invasion of Tibet. It was aimed at preventing the Russian Empire from interfering in Tibetan affairs and thus gaining a foothold in one of the buffer states surrounding British India. The 3000 strong British Indian force marched on Lhasa, easily defeating Tibet's poorly armed army, and dictated a treaty to the state's rulers.

From a collection of 24 photographs and three watercolours relating to the 40th Pathans.