Sir Robert Sandeman, 1880 (c)

Cabinet photograph by Vuccino, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1880.

Robert Groves Sandeman (1835-1892) joined the 33rd Bengal Infantry in 1856. The following year that unit was disarmed at Phillour so Sandeman served as adjutant of the 11th Bengal Lancers during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). After the suppression of the uprising he was appointed to the Punjab Commission by Sir John Lawrence. In 1866 he was appointed district officer of Dera Ghazi Khan. Demonstrating his skill in dealing with the war-like Baluchi tribes, Sandeman extended British influence to the independent tribes beyond the border as well as to those within his district.

Although not averse to the use of punitive force against the tribes when necessary, he was able to peacefully exploit the divisions amongst them in order to further British control. In 1876 he negotiated a treaty with the Khan of Khelat; and in 1877 he was made agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan, an office which he held until his death in 1892. During the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) his influence over the Baluchi tribesmen was of the utmost importance, since it enabled him to keep intact the line of communications with Kandahar, and to control the tribes after the defeat at Maiwand (1880). For these services he was made a KCSI in 1879.

From an album of 74 photographs.