Chitral Bodyguard

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Chitral Bodyguard or informally the Mehtar's Bodyguard, was a military force under the direct command of the Mehtar of the princely state of Chitral.[1][2]

History

Upon British occupation of Chitral following the Chitral Expedition of 1895, the British took a keen interest in reorganizing the state's military capabilities. In 1903 the Chitral Scouts, a force under direct British command, was raised.[3][4][5] The Mehtar (native ruler) was also entitled to a personal military bodyguard.[6]

The Mehtar's Bodyguard was raised by Mehtar

Katur and related clans.[7]

The Bodyguard first saw active combat during the

Nuristan after some light hearted resistance by Afghan troops. The locals supported Chitral and reaffirmed their age-old allegiance to the Mehtar's rule.[11][12][13]

The Chitral Bodyguards most noteworthy accomplishments were during the

Burhan-ud-Din, to secure Gilgit town and reinforce the Gilgit Scouts in the Astore Sector.[citation needed] In August 1948, the Gilgit Scouts had been conducting the Siege of Skardu for several months but had been unable to take the Dogra Garrison within the fortress of Kharpoche (Skardu Fort), because they lacked artillery. In August a 400 strong force of the Chitral Bodyguard, under Mata ul-Mulk, arrived in Skardu, backed by four light Mountain Guns.[citation needed] The Gilgit Scouts left Skardu and pushed on into Ladakh, while the Bodyguard, with the help of artillery, took the Kharpoche Fort within weeks.[14][15]

Following the death of Mehtar

Government of Pakistan
.

Equipment and organization

The Headquarters of the Bodyguard was a portion of the Chitral Fort called Bodyguard-o-Sharaan where one company of Bodyguards was always stationed. Other companies of the Bodyguard would serve throughout the State. The total size of the Mehtar's Bodyguard in 1940 was 4000 men.[16][17]

Upon its formation the Bodyguard used

3.7-inch mountain howitzers
.

The Chitral Bodyguard followed the ancient Chitrali tradition of going into battle with the accompaniment of musicians playing

war tunes [18] or Jhang Waar. These tunes were played on the surnay
accompanied by drums. During the capture of Birkot, the Afghans were surprised when they heard the Jhang Waar playing at dawn, as they did not have a tradition of martial music.

See also

References

  1. ^ Memoranda on the Indian States. Manager of Publications. 1 January 1939. p. 207.
  2. ^ Branch, India Manager, Government of India Central Publication (1 January 1931). Memoranda on the India States, 1930: (Corrected Up to the 1st January 1930). p. 100.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ISBN 9789693513363
    .
  4. ^ Defence Journal. 1 January 1994. p. 20.
  5. ^ The Himalayan Journal. Oxford University Press. 1 January 1936. p. 153.
  6. ISBN 9781317845874
    .
  7. ^ Scott, Ian Dixon (1 January 1937). Notes on Chitral. Manager, Government of India Press.
  8. ISBN 9780224024785
    .
  9. ^ Lt-Col. Mohammad Afzal Khan. Chitral and Kafirstan - A Personal Study. Ferozsons (Peshawar) Ltd., 1973
  10. ^ IUCN Pakistan (2004). Chitral: A Study in Statecraft (1320–1969). IUCN Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
  11. ISBN 9781317845874
    .
  12. ISBN 9780946771981
    .
  13. ^ Pioneer Mail and Indian Weekly News. 1 January 1919.
  14. ^ The Pakistan Review. Ferozsons Limited. 1 January 1963. p. 16.
  15. ISBN 9788170621065
    .
  16. ^ IUCN Pakistan (2004). Chitral: A Study in Statecraft (1320–1969). IUCN Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
  17. ^ Journal of the United Service Institution of India. United Service Institution of India. 1 January 1992. p. 341.
  18. ^ IUCN Pakistan (2004). Chitral: A Study in Statecraft (1320–1969). IUCN Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
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