399 
AN ACCOUNT 
RELIEF OF CHITRAL FORT FROM GILGIT 
THE SIEGE OF CHITRAL, 
IGS ODO BRI IN INTE rg era SSID AR TRU BRIAN 
INTRODUCTION. 
Ir will interest readers of the following article to note that the special 
correspondent of the Times writing from Camp Dir on May 6, 1895 
says :— 
ae Gupis, 65 miles from Gilgit, where there is a small fort, built 
last year by the Government of India as an advance post in the direction 
of Chitral, Lieutenant Stewart, R.A. was picked up (on Colonel Kelly’s 
march) to take command of the two guns brought from Gilgit. This, 
as it proved, was a most valuable addition to the force, for Lieutenant 
Stewart is not only a highly scientific artilleryman and one who took 
the highest places in professional examinations, but also a man of un- 
bounded energy and determination.—d4.J.A. 
On January 5th, 1895 the first news reached Gilgit of the murder of 
the Mehtar Nizam-ul-Mulk of Chitral by his brother Amir-ul-Mulk. 
Lieutenant Gurdon, Political officer, was then in Chitral with 8 men 
of 14th Sikhs. 50 men 14th Sikhs were at once ordered to join him 
from Mastuj under Soubadar Gurmukh Singh. This they did 
forthwith. Mr. Robertson, c.s.1., British Agent at Gilgit, arrived at 
Chitral ou 81st January with 40 rifles 14th Sikhs under Lieutenant 
Harley, and 100 rifles of 4th Kashmir Imperial Infantry, with Captains 
Campbell and Townshend. 100 men 4th Kashmir Rifles followed on 
2nd February, and on 20th February Captain Baird reinforced Chitral 
with another 100 men of 4th Kashmir Rifles. The garrison occupied 
the fort and numbered :— 
100 rifles 14th Sikhs under Lieutenant Harley. 
300 rifles 4th Kashmir Rifles, with Captains Campbell, Towns- 
hend and Baird. 
On March 8rd Chitral fort was surrounded, and all communication 
ceased with Gilgit. Lieutenants Fowler, R.E, and Edwardes, Indian 
Sy Win FAH, 
