WARBURTON, Sir Robert.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Eighteen Years in the Khyber 1879-1898. First edition of this posthumously published memoir. Warburton (1842-1899), known as the "warden" of the Khyber Pass, was one of the most remarkable British figures on the North-West Frontier. His book sweeps "broadly over his tribal administration, land and water surveys, road and canal developments … [and] the numerous groups of dignitaries coming to see the famous Khyber Pass" (Riddick)."Stern and implacable when necessary, he acquired a remarkable influence over the hill peoples, due in part to his Afghan ancestry [his mother was an Afghan princess]. He raised the Khyber Rifles from among these peoples, and for many years kept the pass tranquil. His camp became the rendezvous of mutually hostile tribesmen. He was accustomed to travel with no weapon but a walking-stick, and everywhere met with demonstrations of affection. Able to converse fluently with the learned in Persian and with the common folk in the vernacular Pashto, he succeeded, by his acquaintance with tribal life and character, in gaining an unequalled influence over the border Afghans" (ODNB).

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