Looking north through the gorge at Ali Musjid, 1919

Photograph by Randolph Bezzant Holmes (1888-1973), 3rd Afghan War, 1919.

Ali Masjid fort, just visible on the hilltop in the distance, sat upon steep cliffs and was located at the centre of the Khyber Pass, protecting its narrowest point. During the 3rd Afghan War (1919) Afridi tribesmen attacked British convoys in the pass as they advance towards Dakka. In response, units from the 2nd Division were stationed at Ali Masjid to guard the lines of communication in the Khyber.

From an album of 43 photographs compiled by Major G A Clarke, 12th Pioneers (The Kelat-i-Ghilzie Regiment), and the 2nd Bn 2nd Bombay Pioneers.