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Hunza–Nagar Campaign
The Hunza-Nagar Campaign was an armed conflict in 1891 fought by troops serving the British Raj against the princely states of Hunza and Nagar in the Gilgit Agency (now part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan). It is also known in Pakistan as the Anglo-Brusho War or Jangir-e-Lae.
Colonel Algernon George Arnold Durand, the British Political Administrator of the Gilgit Agency, undertook measures to strengthen British influence in the region. These efforts, aimed at furthering British strategic interests, involved infrastructure development initiatives such as road, telegraph, and mail system improvements. All the while, Durand maintained communication with the Mir of Gilgit. Notably, Durand initiated the improvement of the road connecting Kashmir to the Russian frontier, which passed through Hunza and Nagar. The rulers of these two states perceived these developments as a potential threat to their previously enjoyed isolation.
Following the establishment of the Gilgit Agency in 1889, the British moved to consolidate their influence in the region. This included efforts to secure the borders with neighboring states such as Nagar and Hunza. In 1890, tensions arose when the British reinforced Chalt Fort near the border, citing reports of potential attacks from forces associated with Nagar and Hunza. They also continued to improve the road leading to the fort. In May 1891, representatives from Nagar and Hunza demanded the British cease roadwork and withdraw from the fort, which they claimed was on their territory. Algernon Durand maintained the fort's reinforcement and accelerated road construction. Nagar and Hunza viewed Durand's actions as an escalation and blocked mail from the British Resident in Chinese Turkmenistan from passing through their territory. British India interpreted this as a violation of the 1889 agreement with Hunza, specifically the clause guaranteeing free passage of mail. After issuing an ultimatum that was ignored, they initiated the Anglo-Brusho Campaign of 1891.
In November 1891, under Colonel Algernon Durand's command, a force of approximately 1,000 troops assembled in Gilgit. Composed primarily of Gurkhas, Dogras, and Kashmiri soldiers, the force prepared for a northward advance towards Hunza and Nagar. The operation was conducted with secrecy. During their journey, they captured an individual suspected of acting as a spy for the Hunza Mir. After being interrogated by Durand's advisors, the individual reportedly revealed an alternative strategy: a surprise attack on the Chalt garrison involving Hunza fighters disguised as Gilgiti porters carrying supplies. These disguised individuals would gain entry to the fort and initiate an attack, allowing other Hunza forces to exploit the opportunity and breach the defenses.
In response to the situation in Hunza and Nagar, Algernon Durand assembled a combined force of approximately 1,000 Gurkhas and Kashmiris, along with several hundred Pathan road builders, a mountain artillery battery, 16 British officers, and 7 engineers. The challenging terrain significantly slowed the British force's progress, taking them a week to reach Chalt, their designated operations base situated only 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Gilgit.
Durand received a message from Safdar Ali:
Chalt is even more precious to us than the strings of our wives pyjamas
In response to the British ultimatums, Safdar Ali, the Khan of Hunza, demanded the return of Chalt, a disputed territory. He warned Algernon Durand, the British political agent, that any British incursion into Hunza would face resistance not only from Hunza but also potentially from China and Russia. Safdar Ali asserted that he had secured Russian support against the British, whom he characterized as militarily weaker. Additionally, reports from Kashgar indicated that he had sought financial and military aid from both the Russian consul and the Chinese governor.
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Hunza–Nagar Campaign
The Hunza-Nagar Campaign was an armed conflict in 1891 fought by troops serving the British Raj against the princely states of Hunza and Nagar in the Gilgit Agency (now part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan). It is also known in Pakistan as the Anglo-Brusho War or Jangir-e-Lae.
Colonel Algernon George Arnold Durand, the British Political Administrator of the Gilgit Agency, undertook measures to strengthen British influence in the region. These efforts, aimed at furthering British strategic interests, involved infrastructure development initiatives such as road, telegraph, and mail system improvements. All the while, Durand maintained communication with the Mir of Gilgit. Notably, Durand initiated the improvement of the road connecting Kashmir to the Russian frontier, which passed through Hunza and Nagar. The rulers of these two states perceived these developments as a potential threat to their previously enjoyed isolation.
Following the establishment of the Gilgit Agency in 1889, the British moved to consolidate their influence in the region. This included efforts to secure the borders with neighboring states such as Nagar and Hunza. In 1890, tensions arose when the British reinforced Chalt Fort near the border, citing reports of potential attacks from forces associated with Nagar and Hunza. They also continued to improve the road leading to the fort. In May 1891, representatives from Nagar and Hunza demanded the British cease roadwork and withdraw from the fort, which they claimed was on their territory. Algernon Durand maintained the fort's reinforcement and accelerated road construction. Nagar and Hunza viewed Durand's actions as an escalation and blocked mail from the British Resident in Chinese Turkmenistan from passing through their territory. British India interpreted this as a violation of the 1889 agreement with Hunza, specifically the clause guaranteeing free passage of mail. After issuing an ultimatum that was ignored, they initiated the Anglo-Brusho Campaign of 1891.
In November 1891, under Colonel Algernon Durand's command, a force of approximately 1,000 troops assembled in Gilgit. Composed primarily of Gurkhas, Dogras, and Kashmiri soldiers, the force prepared for a northward advance towards Hunza and Nagar. The operation was conducted with secrecy. During their journey, they captured an individual suspected of acting as a spy for the Hunza Mir. After being interrogated by Durand's advisors, the individual reportedly revealed an alternative strategy: a surprise attack on the Chalt garrison involving Hunza fighters disguised as Gilgiti porters carrying supplies. These disguised individuals would gain entry to the fort and initiate an attack, allowing other Hunza forces to exploit the opportunity and breach the defenses.
In response to the situation in Hunza and Nagar, Algernon Durand assembled a combined force of approximately 1,000 Gurkhas and Kashmiris, along with several hundred Pathan road builders, a mountain artillery battery, 16 British officers, and 7 engineers. The challenging terrain significantly slowed the British force's progress, taking them a week to reach Chalt, their designated operations base situated only 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Gilgit.
Durand received a message from Safdar Ali:
Chalt is even more precious to us than the strings of our wives pyjamas
In response to the British ultimatums, Safdar Ali, the Khan of Hunza, demanded the return of Chalt, a disputed territory. He warned Algernon Durand, the British political agent, that any British incursion into Hunza would face resistance not only from Hunza but also potentially from China and Russia. Safdar Ali asserted that he had secured Russian support against the British, whom he characterized as militarily weaker. Additionally, reports from Kashgar indicated that he had sought financial and military aid from both the Russian consul and the Chinese governor.