The Siege of Chitral

Day by Day Diary


4th March

Skirmish fire on fort. Buildings close by fort on garden side started to be demolished by Garrison. Kashmire troops used at first, but due to slowness, they were replaced by a Corps of servants under a Gurkha Officer who did invaluable work during siege. Baird died.

5th March

2 Khans under Umra Khan arrive in area with a thousand well armed men. (Pathans) Deputations sent to fort stating that Sher-Afzul must be recognised as the Melitar and that they must leave the fort, by marching to Gilgit under guarantees of safe passage.

6th March

Further deputations from Umra Khan. As before, but further stated that it was Sher-Afzuls men who were responsible for all fighting so far. Volley loopholes and log-head covers on the parapets were started. The larger volley loopholes had to made smaller due to the accuracy of the enemies rifle fire, in firing through them.

7th March

Work continued as above. Fort now totally surrounded and no more messages were able to be got out. Spy sent out to seek intelligence regarding the success of previous messengers, he immediately defected to Sher-Afzul. North East Tower fired on by Matchlock men. Waterway set on fire, little damage, easily put out.

Guard Details

8-9th March

Skirmish fire on fort as usual (usually starts upon sound of reveille from bugle in morning). Large numbers of enemy seen moving on to the west, possibly to block the road against reinforcements from Gilgit. Stables on the river front, now loopholed, giving flanking fire to the covered way. Kashmire soldiers still in poor shape since the 3rd. Could not be relied on for the vigilance or discipline. Sikhs posted on the right side of the fort covering the more important riverside. A section of men were formed into a reserve, under Capt. Townshend. These formed up in the courtyard during each alarm.

10th March

White flag raised by fort. Robertson sends out messenger to find out what has happened to the body of one of the Gurkha Officer who had been killed on the 3rd and of course to find out as much useful information as he could. He defected to the enemy. Tent and sheets used to cover walk ways, paths and loopholes. Enemy marksmen would rarely fire unless they had a target.

11th March

Letters from both Sher-Afzul and Umra Khan received. Softer in tone initially, reverting back to the older demands. Intelligence received regarding various relief columns destroyed and that all previous messengers sent from the fort had been captured. Truces on both sides were regularly called during the siege, enabling each side to find out information about each others conditions, under the guise of some trivial matter.

The many Chitralis within the fort were able to relay information to the besieged by various means, this was sometimes used by the British to give false information.

12th March

Skirmish fire as usual. 7 pounder fired for first time, no real results, due to lack of anyone knowing how to fire guns, use abandoned and put in court yard.

13th March

Attack on North East tower, with feigned attack on East tower. Sangar established 150 yards up stream from fort, under cover of above attacks.

A fire ball was thrown from fort to illuminate the attack. Fire ball - pine chips, straw, wrapped in canvas and soaked in kerosene oil and set on light. Thrown by British Officers only. 'Don't want to set the dam fort alight, what?'

14th March

Sepoys behaviour better, more controlled. Heavy firing on fort. Message from Sher-Afzul British to leave fort under his protection and that all surrounding states were up in rebellion. Several alarms during night.

15th March

Quiet day. Sangars reinforced and fresh work in garden heard during night. A small defence work, was constructed at end of covered way by Garrison. 4" of snow fell during night.

16th March

Message from Sher-Afzul - Proposals of peace if fort abandoned. News of ammunition column on way to fort, besieged at Reshun with 2 British Officers, Edwardes and Fowler. Robertson suggests three day truce for negotiations, which is agreed to. Further heavy snow.

The CHITRAL Relief Force crossing the Swat River

CHITRAL Relief Force Large illustration (slow: 112K)

17th March

Envoy sent by Robertson - told of all out attack on fort, unless the Garrison withdraw. All British requests of food, extension of truce and for a neutral zone to be established around the fort were dismissed. It also became apparent that the two recently arrived Khans with their Pathans held sway over Sher-Afzul and dictated the terms. The Major wrote to Sher-Afzul explaining his displeasure and asking what guarantees there were for the safety of his men and supplies if they left the fort. Sher-Afzul replied the he would have to send word word to Umra Khan about negotiations. All fighting was agreed to be halted until further negotiations.

18th March

Bullet proof roofs fitted on towers in fort. Planks raised on parapets as higher cover. A well started to be dug in fort, stopped after several days with no success. Troops beginning to suffer fever and dysentery Heavy rains.

19th March

Further letters into fort, all claiming safe passage and the lessening of patience on their side. Wounded Pathans and Chitralis observed coming from the direction of Reshun, indicating possible relief column. Word sent that the truce would last until the British fired the first shot.

20th March

Further demands of evacuation of the fort and for further negotiations. Robertson greatly concerned for the fate of two British Officers at Reshun, who appeared now to have been captured by the enemy.

A ruse was played by the Pathans, in pretending to bring up to the fort, prisoners from Reshun, under the pretext of handing them over. Where upon any troops leaving the fort would be cut down.

21st March

Further negotiations regarding captured officers, view from the fort allowed to the see them. Intelligence indicating the two Khans were acting on the own behalf and not for Umra Khan. Major Robertson's health, poor up to this point but improved greatly here after.

22nd March

Further negotiations. Heavy rains. Truce ceased at dusk on the 23rd, the siege now resumed.

23rd March

Bonfire attempted by fort to light up west wall during night, limited success, tried in an attempt to light up Sifat's enclosure, which was left unguarded during each night.

24th March

Skirmish fire restarted on fort, generally from the direction of Danin. Heavy rain, Garrison Suffering badly from it. Chitralis in the fort becoming mistrustful, careful watch kept on them.

25th March

Sunshine. Heavy skirmish fire on fort up to 9.30pm

26th March

Intelligence of a proposed large attack on the covered waterway during day light.

27th March

Casualties so far 19. No activity during day, alarm during night.

28th March

'It seemed almost improper, not to say illegal, to fight without the Union Jack floating over our heads':

Union Jack made and run up on the South East tower. Captured British Officers in good health.

29th March

Pathan Khans sent word - If their peace negotiations (i.e. safe passage for Garrison etc) were to be accepted by fort, 15 days must be given, for word to be sent to Umra Khan. Umra Khan himself sent word that the fort would be rushed, no doubt loosing patience. The siege was tightened, with no more messengers able to get out Further attempt to light up walls during night, using wooden planks with pine chips on which were set alight and pushed out through holes made in the walls - successful.

30th March

Review of supplies - could hold out till the 11th June.

Further parley - again safe passage promised by Sher-Afzul for Garrison. Men to be provided to carry forts supplies.

1st April

Intelligence received - relief force possibly at Mastuj and large scale attack on fort being prepared for. Scaling ladders being made by tribesmen. Attack to be launched on weaker south wall. Long spears prepared for use through loopholes to oppose attack. All levies able to use rifle were given one. During night trench started leading to waterway to give better cover for water carriers.

24th April

Sher-Afzul recommends further negotiations. Sends word informing Robertson, of his friendship towards Indian government and himself. That he was merely an ally of Umra Khan and of his wish for peace. If Robertson left the fort the two captured British Officers would be freed. The messengers indicated that Sher-Afzul was in a confused and uncertain state, so Robertson replied that he should submit, but to take at least two weeks to come to a decision. Sher-Afzul replied that he would take the two weeks suggested to think over the offer, and that Robertson should take at least 3 weeks to think over his offers. He later added that the siege would continue.

5th April

Early morning - heavy gun fire and shouting heard, as well as an enemy bugle. Under cover of this distraction, two new Sangars were constructed on East side of the fort. Intelligence indicated approaches being made behind the great plane trees, close to the walls. Also that the fort was to be mined. Explosion heard across river, ruse to imitate cannon fire. At night false attacks and heavy gun fire on fort, answered with volley fire.

6th April

70 patients now in hospital. 3 new Sangars discovered in morning. Large one 30 yards from west wall, with another half finished one in middle of garden. A covered way was being constructed from the river banks Sangar, moving forward near chabutra (see map). Loop holes in west wall started to oppose new Sangar. Extensive work heard coming from summer house. 10pm. Robertson helps construct a low Sangar, of beams and boxes of earth, to cover the whole of the west wall of Sifat's enclosure (on end of stables enclosure). Some 30 yards from the new large enemy Sangar. Completed during night. Alarm heavy gun fire on north tower. Gun tower set a light during alarm, with heavy firing on fort to hinder putting out fire. Several casualties from enemy fire, including Major Robertson, who was hit in shoulder, six further wounded and one man dead. The fire eventually put out, tower usable with no structural damage.

7th April

Earth, water and large stones now collected at towers in case of further fire attacks. Whitchurch, set about organising a form of fire brigade unit. Intelligence - a possible major attack on waterway at midnight. Further attempt to set fire to gun tower, with no success, despite watchful Sikhs on guard duty. Tribesmen had watched sentries and observed when reliefs took place and took advantage of this short interval in vigilance. Relief times now changed. Quiet night.

8th April

85 casualties in hospital. Officers agreed to abandon Sifat's enclosure (this was Garrisoned during the day time). A Sangar was to be constructed in front of the main gate (west wall) to aid flanking fire along the west wall. Loop holes in gun tower made as well as down fire loop holes. Quite night.

9th April

Heavy rain of stones, thrown into officers courtyard, from summerhouse, day and night. Several men badly hurt. British Officers were extremely cautious not wishing to be 'badly wounded by a stone'. Wouldn't look good on the casualty list. Chitralis becoming more restless, their weapons were now taken away from them.

10th April

Quite day. Sangar on west gate improved. Heavy firing on fort, and loud shouting during night. Volley fire from fort, well controlled. Ammunition supply still good. Chitralis in fort appeared aware of possible attack and had dressed as if preparing to leave.

11th April

Music heard most of the day. Rock throwing stops around 9.30pm. Torch light used to light up area around walls. Quiet night.

12th April

Groups of enemy seen making toward to Mastuj in late evening. Loud noises coming from summerhouse earlier. Stone throwing resumed.

13th April

76 casualties in hospital Food supplies holding out. More groups of enemy observed making for Mastuj. Loud noises again heard from summerhouse (music and shouting). Volley fire from fort.

14,15,16th April

Large enemy Sangar to the west, now connected with an earlier one behind, by a covered way (planks leaning one against the other). Constant shouting and music around fort. Possibility of mine being constructed. Guard thought he heard a pick being used, but nothing further was heard.

17th April

Confirmation of mine being dug, some 10-12 feet from gun tower. Sortie ordered - Capt. Harley to command, with 40 Sikhs in advance and 60 Sepoys as support. Sortie planned for 4pm.

More Chirtral: The Siege

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