NAM.1979-08-60-1

Dervish flag or banner captured by the 10th Bn, Sudanese Regiment, Egyptian Army at Arghin, Sudan, 1889. Dimensions 55 1/4” (140.4 cms) x 77 1/2” (197 cms). Cotton fabric, the upper, lower and fly edges all bound with 1/4” wide black cotton fabric. White cotton sleeve 4” in width. Obverse: Yellow damask centre 31” (78.8 cms) x 48 1/4” (120.5 cms), trimmed around edges with 1 1/4” (3.2 cms) black braid. Appliqued onto the centre in 1/4” similar braid, Arabic characters. Between each line of characters, a horizontal band of 1 1/4” (3.2 cms) black braid. Border, approx 12” wide of blue cotton fabric around centre. Very little of the blue border remains on lower edge. Reverse: Whole area covered in white cotton with stitching of appliqued letters showing through. Large triangular patch of white cotton next to sleeve in lower hoist quarter. The battle at which this banner was captured appears to have been: ARGHIN.

Arghin, Battle of, 1889 (Sudan-Abyssinian Frontier 1885-1891)