Hunza–Nagar Campaign
The Hunza-Nagar Campaign was an armed conflict in 1891 fought by troops serving the British Raj against the princely states of Hunza and Nagar in the Gilgit Agency. It is also known in Pakistan as the Anglo-Brusho War or Jangir-e-Lae.
Prelude
Colonel Algernon George Arnold Durand, the British Political Administrator of the Gilgit Agency, undertook measures to strengthen British influence in the region. These efforts, aimed at furthering British strategic interests, involved infrastructure development initiatives such as road, telegraph, and mail system improvements. All the while, Durand maintained communication with the Mir of Gilgit. Notably, Durand initiated the improvement of the road connecting Kashmir to the Russian frontier, which passed through Hunza and Nagar. The rulers of these two states perceived these developments as a potential threat to their previously enjoyed isolation.Following the establishment of the Gilgit Agency in 1889, the British moved to consolidate their influence in the region. This included efforts to secure the borders with neighboring states such as Nagar and Hunza. In 1890, tensions arose when the British reinforced Chalt Fort near the border, citing reports of potential attacks from forces associated with Nagar and Hunza. They also continued to improve the road leading to the fort. In May 1891, representatives from Nagar and Hunza demanded the British cease roadwork and withdraw from the fort, which they claimed was on their territory. Algernon Durand maintained the fort's reinforcement and accelerated road construction. Nagar and Hunza viewed Durand's actions as an escalation and blocked mail from the British Resident in Chinese Turkmenistan from passing through their territory. British India interpreted this as a violation of the 1889 agreement with Hunza, specifically the clause guaranteeing free passage of mail. After issuing an ultimatum that was ignored, they initiated the Anglo-Brusho Campaign of 1891.
Developments
In November 1891, under Colonel Algernon Durand's command, a force of approximately 1,000 troops assembled in Gilgit. Composed primarily of Gurkhas, Dogras, and Kashmiri soldiers, the force prepared for a northward advance towards Hunza and Nagar. The operation was conducted with secrecy. During their journey, they captured an individual suspected of acting as a spy for the Hunza Mir. After being interrogated by Durand's advisors, the individual reportedly revealed an alternative strategy: a surprise attack on the Chalt garrison involving Hunza fighters disguised as Gilgiti porters carrying supplies. These disguised individuals would gain entry to the fort and initiate an attack, allowing other Hunza forces to exploit the opportunity and breach the defenses.In response to the situation in Hunza and Nagar, Algernon Durand assembled a combined force of approximately 1,000 Gurkhas and Kashmiris, along with several hundred Pathan road builders, a mountain artillery battery, 16 British officers, and 7 engineers. The challenging terrain significantly slowed the British force's progress, taking them a week to reach Chalt, their designated operations base situated only 32 kilometers north of Gilgit.
Durand received a message from Safdar Ali:
In response to the British ultimatums, Safdar Ali, the Khan of Hunza, demanded the return of Chalt, a disputed territory. He warned Algernon Durand, the British political agent, that any British incursion into Hunza would face resistance not only from Hunza but also potentially from China and Russia. Safdar Ali asserted that he had secured Russian support against the British, whom he characterized as militarily weaker. Additionally, reports from Kashgar indicated that he had sought financial and military aid from both the Russian consul and the Chinese governor.
On November 29th, Algernon Durand, the British political agent, issued ultimatums to Raja Azur, Khan of Nagar, and Safdar Ali, Khan of Hunza. These ultimatums cited British concerns about Russian activities in the Pamirs region and the need to secure passage through Hunza and Nagar to address the situation. They also emphasized the British desire to maintain the existing political structure and avoid interference in the internal affairs of the two states.
Campaign
Failed Attempt to take Chalt fort
In the spring of 1891, while stationed in Gilgit, Algernon Durand received reports that Safdar Ali, the Khan of Hunza, was planning an attack on a Kashmiri fort. These reports came shortly after news of Yanov's arrival in northern Hunza, leading to speculation about a possible link between the events.Algernon Durand responded to this attempt by dispatching soldiers to dismantle Hunza-controlled rope bridges and bolstering the Kashmiri garrison. Recognizing the potential for another attempt by Safdar Ali, possibly with Russian support, he remained vigilant. Safdar Ali subsequently succeeded in convincing the ruler of the relatively small state of Nagar to join him in resisting the British and their Kashmiri allies.
Siege of Nilt fort
On December 1st, the British military campaign commenced. Following orders from Algernon Durand, engineers constructed a temporary bridge across the Hunza River, enabling the force to advance. Their objective was the mountain capital of Safdar Ali, Baltit. The troops encountered significant challenges during their advance. They navigated nearly vertical climbs and descents through a series of steep canyons, facing sustained gunfire from Hunza-Nagar sharpshooters positioned in fortified structures called "sangars" located atop caves or rock formations. The first major obstacle they encountered was the stone fort of Nilt, belonging to the king of Nagar.The Asian castle, known for its durable construction, featured thick walls pierced only by tiny arrow slits. Algernon Durand's seven-pounder mountain guns, small cannons designed for mountain warfare, had limited impact against these defenses. Gurkha marksmen faced difficulty targeting defenders positioned within the narrow openings, a defensive feature strategically designed by the Hunza and Nagar forces. After being injured and encountering a jammed machine gun, Durand relinquished command. He ordered sappers, under Captain Fenton Aylmer, to breach the main gate with explosives. Supported by covering fire, Captain Aylmer, his orderly Pathan, and two subalterns approached the fortress wall and successfully dislodged defenders from their positions.
Captain Aylmer, along with his soldiers, used their firearms at close range through the narrow openings in the gate. Under heavy gunfire, they rushed towards the base of the main gate carrying explosive charges. The charges were attached to the gate and secured with stones. After initiating the detonation sequence, Aylmer and another soldier retreated to a safe distance. However, the initial attempt was unsuccessful. Despite sustaining a leg wound and powder burns, Aylmer returned to the gate and attempted to relight the malfunctioning fuse. He faced further attacks from the opposing forces, resulting in severe hand injuries. Aylmer retreated to cover once more and waited for the detonation. The second attempt with the fuse was successful.
Knight quoted:-
The explosion breached the doorway, creating a large cloud of dust and debris. Aylmer, his two subalterns, and Gurkha soldiers rushed into the fort, where close-quarters combat erupted. The attacking force faced challenges. Disoriented by the smoke and confusion following the detonation, the Gurkhas became caught in crossfire. Blinded by the smoke and misled by the sounds of battle, the main force continued firing upon the fort, drawing return fire. Lieutenant Boisragon crossed enemy lines to request support. The arrival of reinforcements shifted the battle's course and secured the stronghold.
Initially obscured by smoke, the Hunza-Nagar forces soon realized that the battle had shifted inside the fort, while those remaining outside were unaware. Hearing cheers from within, they joined in with breathless support. Upon reaching a vantage point, they witnessed forces pouring through the gate, forcing the defenders to flee through hidden exits. The Nilt Fortress fell, with the British suffering six casualties compared to significantly higher losses on the Hunza-Nagar side. Later, Knight would meet Aylmer. Despite their initial defeat at Nilt, Hunza-Nagar forces continued to resist the invaders as they advanced towards the Hunza capital. In mid-December, they encountered an obstacle more formidable than the Nilt Fort.
Sieges of fortress at Thol and Maiun
On December 2nd, Captain Bradshaw led an attempt to rebuild the road across the Nilt Nala, aiming to attack the Nagari fortress of Thol on the opposite side. However, they encountered heavy gunfire from Hunza-Nagar forces and were compelled to retreat. Spedding's Pathans, initially shielded, also faced intense fire and were subsequently recalled. Another attack attempt on December 3rd proved unsuccessful. The British forces found themselves in a tense stalemate against the well-armed Hunza-Nagar troops stationed within the mountainous Hunza valley. Fortified positions made a direct assault nearly impossible. As winter approached and concerns regarding the impact on nearby tribes grew, the British forces opted for a siege strategy. They strengthened their own position and prepared for a protracted wait, engaging in daily skirmishes and reconnaissance to identify potential weaknesses. Estimates suggest the fort was garrisoned by around 400 Lashkars.A reconnaissance mission attempted on December 8th proved unsuccessful. British forces planned a surprise attack on the Hunza-Nagar forces stationed at Nilt Nala on the same day. However, the attack was abandoned due to strong enemy fortifications and high casualties sustained during the initial assault. Pinned down by heavy fire, the British troops withdrew safely under the cover of nightfall. On December 9th, further reconnaissance missions and attacks were unsuccessful. However, they managed to establish observation posts to engage the enemy Lashkars. A Dogra soldier discovered a potential weakness in the Hunza-Nagar position: a steep slope inaccessible to their defensive fire. Meanwhile, maintaining supply lines for the British forces became increasingly challenging. In Captain Bradshaw's absence, Captain Mackenzie assumed command and decided to restrict the circulation of information within the camp regarding the planned attack. This decision aimed to prevent knowledge of the plan reaching the Hunza-Nagar forces.
Under the cloak of darkness, 50 Gurkhas and 50 Dogra soldiers scaled the Nilt Nala undetected by the Hunza-Nagar defenders. At dawn, supporting troops initiated a distracting attack, drawing heavy fire from the Hunza-Nagar forces.
Led by the Gurkhas, the attacking force scaled the 1,200-foot cliff, achieving a momentary element of surprise against the Hunza-Nagar fighters. The defenders responded by throwing rocks down the steep slope, but these attempts proved ineffective. The attackers successfully reached a position near the sangars, outflanking the defenders and forcing them to retreat.
Moving swiftly, the attackers repaired the road and pursued the retreating forces. Unable to escape, particularly near the first sangar on the road to Thol, the defenders surrendered their weapons. The attackers captured 92 Hunza-Nagar soldiers, along with their rifles, a supply of government-issued Dum-dum bullets, and various other weapons.