A sketch in the Bolan Pass, 1879 (c)

Watercolour sketch by Lieutenant John Frederick Irwin, 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment, 1879 (c).

The Bolan Pass cuts through the mountains of the Hindu Kush to link Afghanistan with Baluchistan. It was a vital strategic route and during the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) the pass, and the warlike tribes that patrolled it, were brought under British control in order to safeguard lines of communication. After negotiating the Bolan, Lieutenant-General Donald Stewart's force encountered little hostile resistance on their march to Kandahar. Perhaps as a result Lieutenant John Irwin, 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment, was able to sketch his men cooling their feet after a hard-day's march.