When in November 1893, a Boundary Agreement between the Government of India and Amir of Cabul was signed, it was hoped that the agreement would usher in peace and tranquility in the restive North-West Frontiers of British India. The bonhomie, however, did not last long….Indian forts and posts located along the boundary near Khyber Pass were attacked and sacked by Afghan tribesmen; and their forays into Indian Territory became too audacious and frequent to be ignored.

In 1897, an expeditionary force consisting of 35,000 men, about 20,000 camp-followers and 30,000 baggage animals under General Sir William Lockhart was assembled and dispatched to punish rebellious Orakzai and Afridi tribes and secure their submission.

“Campaign in Tirah” is a fascinating account of the operational and administrative management of Tirah Expeditionary Force, which had to traverse through high mountains, dangerous defiles, and rushing torrents, meeting unexpected resistance from simple, savage, and violent tribesmen of the North-West Frontier.

The plan of the campaign was simple, ingenious, and bold. Some of its operational and logistical aspects are still relevant in the realm of mountain warfare.