Ko-i-staun Foot Soldiery in Summer Costume, actively employed among the Rocks

Book Description

London: Hering & Remington, [1847-1848]. Tinted lithograph by R. Carrick, hand-coloured and heightened with gum arabic. 14 5/8 x 10 11/16 inches. An arresting image of a participant in the First Afghan War of 1838-1842. A powerful image from James Rattray's seminal work "Scenery, Inhabitants, & Costumes, of Afghaunistan". Published in London between 1847 and 1848, this important work was one of the first texts to chronicle the British conflict in Afghanistan. Rattray, who served with the 2nd Grenadiers, Bengal Army, during the conflict, took great pains to note specific details of dress and local customs of the Afghani soldiers and statesmen that he came in contact with. This beautiful lithograph is a wonderful example of Rattray's meticulous work and keen eye for detail. The main subject is Mir Alam standing overlooking a pass armed with a 'juzzail', a favoured type of large heavy Afghan rifle. He was initially a member of a notorious band of Kohistani robbers who operated on the road to Turkestan, north-west of Begram. The band, and its leader, subsequently enrolled and served with distinction as part of the infantry escort of Rattray's brother . Rattray wrote: "Coistaun has always been remarkable for the war- like character of its inhabitants, who average some forty thousand families famous for the efficiency and excellence of their Pyadas (foot- soldiery). As light infantry they are unrivalled, and from their numbers and determined courage, are of considerable importance in the event of any revolution in which they may take part." Cf. Abbey Travel II, 513

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