THE THREE SWORDS OF SARDAR BAHADUR SUBEDAR MEER JAFFIR, OBI, IOM, COKE’S RIFLES PART 1
In 1953, my late father Major General Syed Shahid Hamid visited 7th Frontier Force Battalion (Coke’s Rifle) on the frontline in Azad Kashmir.
THE THREE SWORDS OF SARDAR BAHADUR SUBEDAR MEER JAFFIR, OBI, IOM, COKE’S RIFLES PART 2
Meer Jaffir’s ten years of service under Ferris came to an end in 1849 and on 24 May that year, he transferred to the 1st Regiment Punjab Infantry.
SAFE CONDUCT – A TALE ABOUT SYED WAZIR ALI PART 1
A few years ago I was presented a book by Syed Shahid Ali containing over 230 pages of testimonials from British officers for the excellent services provided by his great grandfather and the firm of Messer’s Wazir Ali & Sons that he established.
SAFE CONDUCT – A TALE ABOUT SYED WAZIR ALI PART 2
During the Tirah Campaign 0f 1878-79, Wazir Ali the Coffee shop wallah, survived an ambush and the manner in which he repaid his rescuers is narrated in a story titled ‘Safe Conduct’.
THE BUDDHIST ROAD AND THE STORMING OF THE MALAKAND PASS 1895
One thing that fascinates me about history is how it links the past and present. If you stop past the tunnel on the road from Mardan to
THE GUIDES SAAB KA RISALA – 1846-1900
It was one of, if not the most famous corps in the British India Army. Col. G.J. Younghusband (a prolific writer and brother of the great explorer Francis Younghusband), wrote The Story of the Guides and M.M. Kay’s wrote her epic bestseller novel, The Far Pavilions whose hero served in the Guides.
GUN RUNNING TO THE NORTHWEST FRONTIER
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and its satellites broke away, thousands of surplus small arms appeared on the black market.