3-028-605 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A dance at Gilghit, on the southern slope of the Hindoo Koosh, 1870. 'The scene took place during the visit of Dr. Leitner, well known Indian philologist...[and] Vice-Principal of the Government College at Lahore, one of the first Europeans who have most thoroughly explored the countries to the north of Cashmere. At the time of his visit...the entire country had been devastated by the troops of the Maharajah of Cashmere, an ally of the British Government...The people of the district are wild, and addicted to robbery. In consequence of the war they had forsaken their dwellings and taken refuge in caves, which abound in their mountains...Dr. Leitner sent round men with drums to announce his arrival, and to invite the inhabitants to a feast...The news spread, and a hundred and fifty men assembled to dance...the costumes of the various castes are carefully drawn from photographs. Dr. Leitner, the host, is seen seated under the verandah, and Gilghit Fort is shown in the distance. The inhabitants of Gilghit are a remnant of the ancient Aryans, the common ancestors of the Indo-European races, a portion of whom remained on their way from the high tablelands of Asia down the fertile valley of Cashmere to the Punjaub and the plain of the Ganges'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.