‘Khoord Caubel Pass, 1842’ (pencil and wash)

‘Khoord Caubel Pass, 1842’. Ink wash over pencil sketch by George Alfred Croly, 1843. When news of the Kabul garrison's destruction and the siege of Jalalabad siege reached India and eventually Britain, an 'Army of Retribution' was assembled under the command of Major-General George Pollock. He forced the Khyber Pass and relieved Jalalabad. Pressing on, he defeated Akbar Khan at Jagdalak and Tezeen, advanced through the Khoord-Kabul, and reached the Afghan capital in September 1842. This drawing depicts soldiers from Pollock’s force journeying though the Khoord-Kabul. This pass is about five miles (eight km) long and overlooked by cliffs 5-600 feet (150-180 metres) high. In the foreground can be seen the remains of the dead soldiers and camp followers who were killed in the pass during the ill-fated retreat from Kabul in January 1842.