Sardar Muhammad Akbar Khan Barakzai, Jalalabad, 1842 (c)

Sardar Muhammad Akbar Khan Barakzai, Jalalabad, 1842 (c). Painting by James Atkinson. Source

"The prominent part played by this second son of Umeer Dost Mahomed Khan in the late insurrection in Afghanistan has rendered his name but too familiar in Britain. On the advance of the detachment under Sir Claude Wade by the Khyber Pass, he was ordered in that direction to arrest his progress. But the capture of Ali Musjid, and the divided state of parties in Kabul forced him to retreat on that city, abandoning his guns and baggage. He accompanied his father on his march to Urghundee, and thence fled with him to Bokhara, where he was detained a prisoner when Dost Mahomed escaped, and thus prevented affording him assistance during his last campaign. After obtaining his release, hedisobeyed his parent’s orders to surrender himself to the British Envoy, preferring the life of a houseless exile to a mean dependance on the bounty of his enemies. Soon after the breaking out of the insurrection he arrived at Kabul and at once joined the insurgents. That Sir William Macnaughten perished by his hands the accounts of the Officers present at the conference fully confirm, and to him are the disasters, which befell the army on its retreat towards India justly attributed. After its annihilation he marched to Jellalabad, but Sir Robert Sale’s refusal to evacuate that town disconcerted his plans and forced him to attempt its capture by storm. The energetic defence of the gallant garrison, however, foiled every assault, and the 7th of April last witnessed the signal defeat and total dispersion of his force, by troops, suffering from the privations of the seventeen months siege, short of food, scantily furnished with clothing, harassed by the incessant vigilance necessary for the safety of their post, and wanting in all save that discipline, bravery and devotion to their duty ever shown by the British Indian Army. In reference to this action it is due to Ukbar Khan to state, that with that liberality which marks the really brave, he invariably attributes his defeat to the fortune of war, and loudly extols the undaunted courage of his opponents led on by the heroic Sale. After this misfortune the Chief retreated to the fort where the prisoners who fell into his hands on the retreat of the army were confined, and after declaring in their presence that his own countrymen had basely deserted and betrayed him, although he had all along acted at the instigation of the Kabul Chiefs especially in the murder of the Envoy an destruction of the army, while they now refused to support him, directed a move towards the capital. Leaving his captives a few miles distant he himself entered the city and after a short struggle forced Futteh Jung, (a son of the deceased Shah Shoojau, who held possession of th citadel)to make terms and acknowledge him as his minister, and the rival Chieftains to submit to his authority. The advance of General Sir George Pollock, however necessitated him to fly towards Toorkistan, and the greater number of prisoners were hurried off in the same direction, but the defection of the Chief in charge of them from his cause, and the rapid march of a detachment from Cabul released them from his hands. The last accounts of his movements are to the effect that the Walee of Khooloom had assisted him with a large force of Uzbek horse, and he was preparing to march on Kabul as soon as the army had evacuated it. The return of Dost Mahomed Kahn may perchance induce him to change his designs, although in their contentions for power, the ties of kindred with but little in the estimation of Afghans. Having been once at the head of affairs, it may be doubted whether he will willingly succumb to his Father’s supremacy. Of his character as a man, one of his late prisoners thus speaks, “He is in every respect a very remarkable person gifted by nature with no ordinary abilities of mind (not heart.) A neglected education and over indulgence have in a great measure nullified these advantages. He possesses talent without knowledge, energy without prudence, courage without coolness, decision without self-control, liberality without principle. He is revengeful, passionate, and capable of any atrocity when roused: but on ordinary occasions, his acts are kind and his manner courteous. His conduct towards the prisoners was always frank, friendly and considerate, and he did his best to make them comfortable. When marching about, their fatigues and privations were excessive, but at that time the Chief was fugitive. When he ordered them to Toorkistan his evil passions were at work and there can be not rational doubt, had they not escaped, he would have consigned them to a life of slavery.” 

The town of Jellalabad situated midway between Cabul and Peshwar, was then first occupied by Sir Robert Sale’s force, partially encompassed by a mud wall in a state of ruin, without parapets or ditch, covered way or outworks of any kind, and surrounded on every side with gardens and houses, enclosed fields, mosques and ruined forts, affording strong cover to an enemy. But the indefatigable exertions of the garrison, though scantily supplied with entrenching tools soon placed it in a respectable state of defence, nor did the destruction of the greater part of their works by an earthquake paralyse their energies. With that noble fortitude which distinguished all ranks under every discouragement, the fortifications were speedily restored to so complete a state, as to call forth the admiration and praise of the Commander of the army which relieved them. On the retrograde march of the British troops from Kabul, the place was levelled to the ground, but the history of its siege and bold defence must rank high in the annals of the military prowess of Britain." [Character & costumes of Afghaunistan by Captain Lockyer Willis Hart].