The Gilgit Game: The Explorers of the Western Himalayas, 1865-95The exploration and appropriation of the wilderness in the heart of the Western Himalayas has become known as the "Gilgit Game" in recognition of its importance as a crucial episode in the "Great Game"--the century-long rivalry between Russia and British India for control of Central Asia. Indeed, authors from Kipling to Masters have treated this struggle as the epitome of this competition between nations. But as John Keay shows in this fascinating and readable account of an exciting period in colonial India, the real characters in this drama were more than a match for their fictional counterparts. With humor, sympathy, and admiration of this small group of intelligence agents, Keay describes the activities that had such far-reaching repercussions in the region. Through extensive research and his own intimate knowledge of the terrain, Keay sheds new light on the once top secret geographical discoveries made by these men, discoveries they were prevented from publishing during their lifetimes. A fresh look at a little-known aspect of political intrigue, this is the first narrative account of Himalayan exploration set against the backdrop of espionage and military brinkmanship. |
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Afghan Afghanistan agent Algy Aman-ul-Mulk Amir Badakshan Baroghil Biddulph British India British officers Bunji Central Asia Chalt Chaprot Chilas Chilasis Chinese Chitral Colonel crossed Dardistan Dards Darkot defence Dogras Durand Elias expedition explorer fact feet force frontier garrison geographical Ghazan Khan Gilgit Agency Gilgit Game Gilgit valley glaciers gorge Grombtchevski ground guns Hayward Himalayas Hindu Kush hundred Hunza Indus Ishkoman journey Kabul Kafiristan Kafirs Karakorams Kashmir Kirghiz Ladakh Lahore later Leitner letter Lockhart London looked Lowarai MacGregor MacNair Maharaja of Kashmir Mastuj Mehtar ment miles military mission months Morty mountain Mulk Aman murder Nagar Nilt Nizam no-one Oxus Pahlwan Pamirs pass Pathan political Punjab Rawlinson reached river road Robertson route Russian Safdar seemed Shandur Sher Afzul side Simla Sinkiang snow soon Srinagar territory Townshend traveller troops Umra Khan upper Oxus valley Viceroy Wakhan Wali Western Himalayas whole Yarkand Yasin Younghusband