NAM.1983-07-11-1

An Afghan Sirdar riding, with a British soldier running beside his horse, 1st Afghan War, 1841 (c). Watercolour on Oriental paper by an Afghan artist, together with an inscription ‘Found in Amir Shere Ali’s Palace, Kabul, Oct 1879, R’ Associated with 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) and 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). This painting is by an Afghan artist and was painted around the time of the First Afghan War (1838-42) for an unknown Afghan patron. It shows a mounted Afghan sirdar with a British soldier. It was found by Major-General Sir (later Field Marshal Lord) Frederick Roberts in Amir Sher Ali’s (Sher Ali Khan) palace in Kabul in October 1879, during the Second Afghan War (1878-80). Roberts was so taken with his discovery that he had two of his officers paint a version with the British and Afghan roles reversed, with a Trooper of the 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers riding alongside a running Afghan soldier.

1st Afghan War (1838-1842), 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880)