On the Indian side of the Kabul River, the Malakand Field Force was headquartered in Nowshera town, six hours by rail from Rawal Pindi. It had a garrison of one British battalion and one native cavalry regiment. The barracks soon became great hospitals and the cantonment was packed with military stores and transport. It was commanded by Colonel Schalch.
a polo game
The game of polo is played on a grass field approximately 300 yards long by 160 yards wide with lightweight goalposts at either end. The goal is to hit the ball between the goalposts to score. The field is divided into two halves with four players on each side. The umpire bowls the ball between the two teams. Each team tries to score as many goals as possible by using passes to their teammates and avoiding the other team from scoring. A polo game is played for six seven-and-half-minute periods.
Each player plays a different position on the field. The experienced players play position two and three. The player at position one is the attacking offensive player. The other rider is the primary defensive player. The two players may attempt to push one another off the ball line. There are boards placed on the field to keep the ball in play.
Polo is played in a range of settings in Pakistan. In the Northern Areas, known as Chitral, polo is most popular. In Gilgit, Uprising Day tournaments take place in early November. The country also hosts the Pakistan Independence Tournament in Skardu in early August.
The game has Indian origins. The king of Manipur has a royal polo ground in Kangla Fort. Outside the palace, a public polo ground is used for games. In the past, animal heads were used on the field. In one game, the head of Genghis Khan was used.
a signal station
When we think of the Frontier Force, it is likely that we envision a road, which is both broad and white, and runs across the valley. Across this road, soldiers move, and political officers spread their influence. The road is significant, and no amount of sophistry can obscure its significance.
It is possible, however, that the enemy did not have the same impression. The garrison in Malakand was initially thought to be a one-day affair, but the change of English parties led to the garrison staying for two years. Although this garrison was not well defended, as the months wore on, it appeared that it would be a permanent fixture. Officers began to construct huts and mess rooms, and the garrison soon became a permanent presence.
The Pathan Sepoys in Malakand were aware of the agitation in Upper Swat. In July, they warned their Pathan counterparts to be on guard. They were also aware of the fanatical movements sweeping the area. Major Deane, a political agent, watched this fanatical movement day after day and felt compelled to report what he saw.
a forsaken spot
The district of Malakand is strategically important. It serves as a gateway to Bajaur, Lower Dir, Swat, and Bunair. It is surrounded by mountainous areas that were once heavily forested. The Malakand Pass connects the cities of Mardan and Swat and is located near Dargai. The region was home to the Pushtun tribes and was once fought over by the Imperial British Army in 1895.
The garrison was not well fortified. The English thought the garrison would be temporary, but the Chitral campaign in 1895 changed the English parties, and they stayed another two years. Though the garrison was not well protected, the officers began to build huts and mess rooms.
a place of agitation
The people of Malakand have suffered from floods, earthquake and militancy. They are unable to pay their taxes and will continue to protest if the government withdraws tax concessions and cancels elections. Local lawmakers have expressed their reservations over the new legislation and have asked the government not to revoke the status of Pata.
The region is also home to mineral resources. There are deposits of chromite iron, china clay and fuller earth. The region is surrounded by mountain ranges rich in these resources. Traders in the region have made announcements that they would support political parties to get the road constructed.
The English garrison in Malakand was initially thought to be a temporary measure, but due to the change in English political parties, they were left there for two years. As the months passed, the garrison began to appear more permanent and the officers began to construct huts and mess rooms.
a place of attacks
The recent attacks in the Malakand Division are causing a great deal of concern. This troubled area of Pakistan is one of the most dangerous, where attacks against police and civilians are a regular occurrence. The military is launching a massive operation to restore the writ of the government and ensure the safety of people in the area. However, the attack and displacement of people has caused a host of negative consequences, including increased unemployment and economic losses.
Initially, it was not clear which group was responsible for the attack. It took place at a camp where the garrison and the infantry force were deployed. The Garrison, however, stood where it was at the beginning of the attack and took considerable casualties amongst the tribesmen. The tribesmen were comprised of Swatis, Utman Khels, Mohmands, and Salarzais. During the day, the firing from the tribesmen diminished.
There are also non-state actors in the Malakand Division. These non-state actors gained their foothold in the region because of the weak governance and unstable political administration. In addition, the local population was disenchanted by the US invasion of Afghanistan. These attacks also damaged infrastructure in the area. As a result, terrorism is on the rise in the Malakand Division. There are many causes for this. A poor administration and a lack of sound governance have weakened local loyalty to the government and prompted this violence.
The attack continued in the evening. Because of the threat from the tribesmen, the surrender was delayed. The garrison of North Camp was forced to retreat to the Crater and provide cover fire. However, the attack resumed on the night of July 19th. The day after, Lieutenant-Colonel Reid’s infantry arrived and left about 400 men behind at Dargai. On the next day, 3 battalions of infantry and a mountain battery prepared to advance.
