Three soldiers of the 4th Gurkha (Rifle) Regiment, 1880 (c)

Photograph, Second Afghan War (1878-1880), 1880 (c).

This photograph was probably taken during the regiment's period of service in Afghanistan. During the campaign it fought at Ali Masjid and Kabul and took part in Major-General Robert's famous march from Kabul to Kandahar. The Gurkhas are armed with single shot .577 Snider-Enfield Rifles. This weapon was used by British Empire forces from 1866 until its gradual replacement by the Martini-Henry in the 1870s and 1880s.

From an album of 64 photographs compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel C A Mercer, 4th Gurkha Rifle Regiment, India 1879-1894.