'Russia and India in 1903' [‎11v] (22/68)

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RUSSIA AND INDIA IN 1903.
and skilfully handled a number of men find therein
congenial occupation. It is true we are training them
to arms, but the result is undoubtedly good. The
presence of one battalion at Jamrud, and another at
Lundi Kotal, with detachments at Fort Maude and
Ali Masjid, has a deterrent effect upon the lawlessness
of their kinsmen so long as they are in a fairly
quiescent state.
But the whole of their history is antagonistic to
much reliability attaching to outward signs. The
treaty of Gandamak, which closed the first phase of
the operations in Afghanistan in 1878-79, materially
altered the relations of the Afridis towards us. The
ninth clause ran :—
“ The British Government will retain in its own
hands the control of the Khyber and Michin Passes,
which lie between Peshawar and Jellalabad, and of all
relations with the independent tribes connected with
these passes.”
In 1881 an agreement was signed with the leaders
of the tribes, by which, in return for a subsidy of about
^8,000 a year, they undertook to secure the road, to
maintain matchlock men for the purpose, and to levy
no tolls upon the caravans passing between Afghanistan
and India. These matchlock men were subsequently
formed into the Khyber Rifles, and in 1896 British
officers were added.
Everything appeared to be going well until 1897,
when Afghan agents appeared to be moving about
among the Afridis, with promises of armament and
hints of a “ Ghaza ” against the Christian infidel. In
June the escort of the political officer was attacked,
and in the following month that distinguished Frontier
General, Sir Bindon Blood, was given three brigades
for the systematic punishment of the tribes around
the Malakand and Mohmand—a task in which he was
successful, despite the belief that the highlands of
Tirah were absolutely inaccessible.