Younghusban Troubled Campaign

YOUNGHUSBAND. TROUBLED CAMPAIGN. By Maj. Gen. (Retd) Shubhi Sood. Pp. 212, 76 b/w photos, 7 panoramas, 5 sketches, 2005. (India Research Press, New Delhi, US$ 56.50, Indian price not stated).

Most tourists visiting Gyantse miss the most important place there. It is not on the tourist itinerary as the Chinese hosts do not encourage many to visit the Gyantse Fort in center of town. This is the fort where the British forces, led by Sir Francis Younghusband soundly defeated the Tibetan forces. As the British forces continued their march to Lhasa, Tibetans reoccupied the fort. The best troops in India, the Gorkhas (in this case from the 8th Regiment) were sent to reinforce the Younghusband troops. They attacked the fort and captured it quickly. Tibetans were so sacred that many jumped to their deaths from a high cliff to run away from the khukris of the Gorkhas. The present book is by a Commanding Officer of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. He stumbled upon historical photos, taken by an unknown officer during this campaign in 1903-1904.

The battalion records gave more information and other books led to construct the full story. The book is in large size and with black and white photos, surprisingly good after 100 years. They bring back memories and are a treat to see – only b/w pictures can evoke such memories. The pictures cover the British forces entering Tibet from Jelep la, past Yatung, fight at Guru, Gyantse fort, Karo la and finally entering Lhasa. The pictures of battleground, Indian soldiers, and sangars (stonewalls) that they built capture the mood of those days. Personalities like Lord Curzon. Younghusband, Chinese Amban, Nepali representative at the talk and the Tibetan soldiers and people are strengths of this book. Surprisingly the book does not cover the heroic attack on the fort by Lt J. D. Grant and Havildar Karbir Pun, which won them the Victoria Cross and First Class Order of Merit respectively. The text gives details of military formations and personnel, which may not interest an average reader. The text of agreement between the British and Tibetans is for record and for students.

The photographs are captioned as per the captions in the original album. Those who visit the Gyantse fort now, should also visit the museum on the upper ramparts. The museum made of many statues and paintings depicting events show how Tibetans and Chinese forces defeated the British at Gytantse ! The Chinese cannot do without blowing their trumpet even from the wrong side. The book like this will be a treasure to hold and hopefully it will guide visitors against such false depiction of history.

HARISH KAPADIA