The trouble which has suddenly arisen on the North-West frontier of India appears to have had a very small and indistinct commencement. In the latter half of July wows reached Malakand that a disturbance had taken place at Thana, a village opposite Chakdara, where the suspension bridge crosses the Swat river. Malakand is fifty miles northwards of Peshawar, and about the same distance to the south, or south-east, of Dir, the Khan of which receives a subsidy from the Indian government for keeping open the read to Chitral, which is, roughly, about fifty miles further on. So far, no suspicion of the Khan's loyalty has been felt, and, indeed, the tribesmen who provoked the trouble appear to resent any attempt at the exercise of authority on his part. The news, at first was not considered serious, but Inter, further reports were received to the effect that a mad' fakir," who had recently gained much notoriety locally, had gathered some hundreds of tribesmen about him and was.bent on mischief. In the evening the levies employed on the road to Chakdara came flying into camp, their report being that the Swatis had risen, and that the fakir was marching down the valley with the intention of attacking Malakand. The British authorities at once took action, and the brilliant behaviour of the troops, under Colonel Meiklejohn, shows once more at what a hig State of efficiency the Army in India is maintained, the ease with which it can go into action, and the courage animating all ranks. The first thoughts were of Chakdara, where the garrison of 300 was evidently being besieged. Colonel Meilclejohn sent out a column. consisting of four guns of No. 8 (Bengal) Mountain Battery, one squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers, and the 3ist Punjab Infantry.
These troops were ordered to pursue and break up any gathering in the Swat Valley and open up communication with Chakdara. They found themselves opposed to largo bodies of tribesmen, but the cavalry pushed on towanis Chakdara. The guns and infantry had to return to Malakand. It then became clear that the rising was a serious one, and Colonel Meiklojohn wired to Mardan ordering the Corps.of Guides up with all possible speed. Ho withdrew the troops from the North Malakand Camp, concentrating his brigade in and about the entrenched position on the Kotal, where they could best be utilised in repelling any attack in strength. At the same time he telegraphed to the headquarters of the Panjab Command at Murree asking that reinforcements might be sent.
The relief of Chnkdara was carried out on the Ist of August, and the brilliant manner in which this was accomplished by Colonel Meiklejohn wakes the exploit worthy to rank among the most noteworthy achiovements of frontier warfare. The Chakdara garrison was very hurd pressed. It had to face enemies who were evidently preparing to try to carry the place by assault, and the failure of ammunition might "have predicament if Colonel Meiklejohn had not placed the defenders in a very awkward fought his way through to their aid at a critical moment. The Malakand garrison also ran a dangerous risk on the night of the first assault.
According to the special correspondent of the Pionee:, after the Dogras: Hill position was taken, Colonel Meiklejohn's force, covered by cavalry, advanced on Butkela, which was occupied by the enemy. The cavalry got beyond the village. without a shot being fired, galloped to Amandara Pass, holding it with dismounted mon, nnd then cut off the enemy's'retreat. The infantry came up rapidly and. attacked Butkela. The enemy fled across the ricofields to the river, where the cavalry could not pursue. As the infantry came to the Amandara Pass the cavalry dashed on towards Chakdara; where from the noise and smoke it was evident that severe fight ing was going on. The cavalry reached Chakdarw at 9.a.m. The bridge was intact, and the terraces of the hill of the signalling but the enemy oonupied the civil hospital tower, as well as innumerable sugars over the rice-fieldsrotind the northland east of the fort, from which they kept up a heavy fire. The cavalry crossed the bridge, part of the garrison moving out to cover the crossing. On reaching the north bank they -at once moved out against the enemy in the open, attacking those in the sungers in the tice-fields with dismounted fire, while the fort supported them with fire. fromthe 9- pounder guns and Maxims, killing a great many of the enemy, who began to retire, some towards Uch and others up the valley to. Upper Swat. In, many sungats light scaling ladders were found with which the
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