Strongpoint, Kabul 1879 (b/w photo)

Strongpoint, Kabul, 1879. Photograph by John Burke, 2nd Afghan War, 1879. Sherpur Cantonment, one mile north of Kabul, was the operational base of General Roberts' Kabul field force during the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). Where the permanent defences of the Cantonment had already been constructed, they were immensely strong. Here Indian troops man one of the semi-circular bastions on the west wall, the so-called Sappers and Miners’ Bastion. The walls at this point were five metres high. From a photograph album compiled by Major (later Major General Sir) Alexander Robert Badock.