'Conclusion of the Afghan War: Arrival of the Ameer Mahomed Yakoob Khan at Gandamuk', 1879 (c)

Etching after William Simpson, published in the Extra Supplement to 'The Illustrated London News', 14 June 1879.

In February 1879 Yakub Khan succeeded his father, Sher Ali, as amir of Afghanistan. With the fighting the previous year having established British troops in Kandahar, the Kurram Valley and Jellalabad, Yakub Khan decided to negotiate. On 8 May 1879 he arrived at Gandamak in eastern Afghanistan to sign a peace treaty with the British. To impress upon him the extent of Britain's military power, the road by which he approached Gandamak was lined with troops; in all, 4750 men were on parade. By the Treaty of Gandamak, signed on 26 May, Yakub Khan ceded the Kurram Valley and Khyber Pass, and by accepting a British mission to Kabul, surrendered control of Afghanistan's foreign policy. Despite the title of this etching, the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) was not over. In September 1879, following a mutiny in the Afghan Army, Cavagnari and his escort were murdered.