1st AFGHAN WAR - UNREST IN SAUGOR & NEWS OF POLLOCK, THE KHY...

Hammer

£1,500

1st AFGHAN WAR - UNREST IN SAUGOR & NEWS OF POLLOCK, THE KHYBER PASS, GHUZNEE, ETC.; 19 Apr. 1842 cross-written EL (full typed transcript - see scan online - with minor wear to folds) from a British Officer (R.O.? Herbert) in "Saugor" to his brother in Wales. There is a fine red boxed "SAUGOR/Paid" d.s. (frame just crossed by small closed seal tear) on the reverse beside the London 10 June arrival cds; it is endorsed "Per Steamer via Falmouth", was charged "1/-" Packet rate and has a fine red oval Bombay "INDIA" on the front. The long and fascinating letter gives an eye-witness account of the ongoing unrest in central India incl. "About 3,000 Bhoondeleks from the Shahghur Territory, our own District and from the Bundlecund States (Chirgong, the place attacked last year, in particular) having established themselves in the Hills between the Shahghur State and our Saugor District, made a descent the other day (on the 9th) upon two very large towns not far from here and subject to us. One of these, Khunlassa, was sacked by them for about half an hour; and at the other 12 Burkundayes, their Jerundur and two Shwars of Offuras Horse were killed. There were only 9 of the Irregulars at the place and one only out of the whole remaining untouched, two having been killed and 6 wounded, their horses and accoutrements fell into the hands of the Insurgents... I galloped off, and after putting myself at the head of the Police and succeeded in arresting 7 of the persons who were engaged in creating the disturbance, the remaining portion of them, perhaps 25 in number having taken to their heels on my approach ". He then adds news of the Afghan War; "Pollock had determined to proceed to Sale's assistance on the 1st of this month [April 1842], and it was announced in yesterday's Agra Ukhbar that he moved on the 31st of last month up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass with the intention of entering it the next day...The papers will have informed you of the Fall of Ghuznee, Palmer having surrendered [?] it up in consequence of a scarcity of water. The licking the Insurgents got from the Garrison at Candahar will also have reached you from the same source...". An important insight into the unrest in other parts of India while the British forces were focussed on Afghanistan. Cross Reference: AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, WELSH POSTAL HISTORY