Captured Afghan artillery, Sherpur Cantonment, 1879 (b/w photo)

Captured Afghan artillery, Sherpur Cantonment, 1879. Photograph by John Burke, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1879. Burke took this photograph when he was with General Frederick Roberts’ Kabul Field Force which had entered the city in October 1879 following the murder of Sir Louis Cavagnari and his escort. No fewer than 76 cannon were found abandoned in the Sherpur Cantonment. Burke remained with the soldiers, photographing the city and its inhabitants, until the Field Force’s departure in May 1880. The cantonment was originally built by Amir Sher Ali as winter quarters for his troops. Offering a defendable position close to the city, the cantonment was large enough to accommodate Roberts’ soldiers during the winter of 1879-1880 and gave them easy access eastwards through the Khyber Pass.