These 'rough notes' are in fact an eye-witness account of the first Afghan War in 1838-39, by Major James Outram, who won fame as a General twenty years later for his Relief of Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny. The war was fought as part of the 'Great Game' for control of the north-west approaches to India between Britain and Russia. It resulted in the deposition of the pro-Russian ruler of Afghanistan, Dost Mohamed Khan, and the restoration of the pro-British Shah Shooja Ool Moolk. Outram took an active part in the campaign, including the storming of Ghuznee, and pursuing Dost Mohammed after his...

These extracts from the personal journal of Sir James Outram (1803 63), which he kept while serving with the 23rd Regiment in the British Army of the Indus, describe the British campaigns in Sindh and Afghanistan in 1838 9. In the preface to the book, originally published in 1840, the author explains that his 'rough notes' are not attempting a narrative of the military operations but have been printed 'for the perusal of valued friends'. The work begins in Sindh, where the author joins the campaign that aims to restore Shah Shuja to the throne of Kabul, the ultimately disastrous First...