Ali Masjid

Although the main thrust into Afghanistan was from the Bolan Pass, it was felt that Lt-Col Claude Wade should make a foray through the Khyber Pass in order to split Dost Mohammed's forces and commitments. He arrived at Peshawar in March 1839 and tried to win over the Afridi tribesmen who controlled the approaches. This was only partially successful and he was obliged to try to force the Khyber Pass with a mixed contingent of Shah Shuja's Afghan levies, Punjabis from Ranjit Singh's regular army and a few East India Company troops. He took the strategic fort of Ali Masjid on 27 July 1839.