‘Shergai Heights looking towards Ali Musjid’, 1878 circa (b/w photo)

‘Shergai Heights looking towards Ali Musjid, showing the entire line of enemy’s defences right and left of Ali Musjid, and camp of the 3rd Brigade’, 1878 circa. Photograph by John Burke, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1878 circa. The Shargai Heights, situated in the Khyber Pass, were captured during the assault on the Afghan fortress of Ali Masjid by Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Browne’s Peshawar Valley Field Force on 21 November 1878. Known as the 'Key to the Pass' as it defended its narrowest point, its occupation was crucial in order to secure British control of the Khyber. The 3rd Infantry Brigade was under the command of Brigadier-General Frederick Appleyard. From an album of 100 photographs by John Burke, 1878 circa.