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Deeds of superhuman daring

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'[1849, after the Battle of Gujrat] The sensation produced in that city [Kabul] by the total destruction of the Sikh army was very great. The Affghan fugitives, after the manner of orientals, gave the most absurd exaggerations as to the prowess of the British soldiers, especially of the officers, many of both being described as fiends, who proved their infernal nature by deeds of superhuman daring and strength.

An alliance with “Shatan” was of course a mode of accounting for defeat which saved the honour of the fugitives, and satisfied the denizens of Cabul, as well as the wild clans en route thither, that a retreat was wisdom. The government of Cabul became uneasy for the consequences, and Dost Mohammed Khan took measures to placate the British government, whose policy was not to pursue the war into Affghanistan.'

(From The History of England, Vol. III, Ch. LXI, by Edward Henry Nolan, Edward Farr.)


Tags: england, quote
Authors: ag