Patna HG 15

1838

Postal cover from kurnaul-nwp (n-w-provinces), bearing HG 4 handstamp in Black. Dated 1838. Note: Date extended to 1849 from 1846 India Study Circle IP221. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

28 June 1839

Postal cover from patna (bengal), bearing HG 15 handstamp in Black. Dated 28 June 1839. Scarce example of postal history from this office.

26 July 1840

1st Afghan War / Occupation of Kandahar 1840 (July 26): Entire letter written by Lt. R.A. Trotter of 43rd Bengal N.I. from Kandahar to Patna and endorsed "Candahar" on reverse, endorsed at top "10 annas Bg" (Bearing) as pre-payment was not possible, struck on reverse with framed "PATNA / August 29 / Bearing 10 as." manuscript filled datestamp in brownish ink. Fascinating letter (transcript accompanies the lot) "the heat was dreadful during the day, thermometer never under 100⁰ and ....as high as 112⁰...as for the stuff one reads in the papers about leaving Shah Souojah to take care of himself with his contingent, the very idea is perfectly absurd and it is the opinion of almost every man in Afghanistan that were such a thing to take place, Shah Soojah or "Our King" as MacNaghten calls him, would be back in Loodianah before the Regulars. He is detested by the people and the best thing not only for us but this country would be his death....". The writer goes on to worry about the Dooranee chiefs and the Baluchi's attacking the rear at Quetta and also includes a fine pencil drawing of the writer (aged 26) in Kandahar. A fascinating and historic entire. Provenance: R.A. Siegel, New York, 30 Oct 1996, lot 2473. Automatisch generierte Übersetzung: Erste Afghanistankrieg / Besetzung von Kandahar 1840 (Juli 26) : vollständiger Brief geschrieben von Lt. R. A. Trotter von 43rd Bengalen N. I. Ab Kandahar nach Patna und mit dem Vermerk "Candahar" auf der Rückseite, Vermerk oben "10 annas Bg" (mit) als pre-payment war nicht möglich, Abschlag auf der Rückseite mit eingerahmt "PATNA / August 29 / mit 10 als. "handschriftlich gefüllt Datumsstempel in bräunlich Tinte. Faszinierender Brief (Protokoll begleitet das Los) "die Hitze war grauslich im Lauf / Laufe des Tages, thermometer nie unter 100⁰ und ... Als hoch als 112⁰ ...as für die Stopfens ein lautet in der Zeitung ungefähr lässt Schah Souojah achtgeben auf selbst mit seinem Kontingent, schon der Gedanke ist einwandfreie unsinnig und es ist die Befund von fast jeder in Afghanistan jenes wären so etwas abgehalten werden, Schah Soojah oder "unser König" als Mac Naghten RUFE ihn, wollte sein Rückseite in Loodianah vor die Stammgäste. Er ist verabscheut bei das Volk und das Beste thing nicht nur für uns dies aber Land wollte sein seiner Todes ... ". Der Schreiber fährt auf ärgern über das Dooranee Chefs und die Baluchis attackierend die Etappe zu Quetta und auch dabei ein feines Bleistiftzeichnung von der Schreiber (gealtert 26) in Kandahar. Ein faszinierend und historisches Ganzstück. Provenienz: R. A. Siegel, NewYork, 30 Oct 1996, Los 2473. "Candahar July 26th/40." Dateline on eight-page folded letter from Lt. R.A. Trotter of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, to his father at Patna: "For the last two months I have been out with General Nott and rthe right wing of our Regt., knocking about the country after adventurers...without seeing a shot fired, as the whole insurrection had been put down...to give the Ghlizecs their due, they stood well. Shah Soojah, or `Our King' as Macnaghaten calls him, would be back in Lodianah long before the Regulars...It is a well known fact that the Dooranee Chiefs, although nominally friends of the Shah;s, detest him most thoroughly, so you may suppose the country is not in usch a settled state as some people would make us believe. Had I the power put into my hands I would blow away from a gun every morning a few of these sadid Dooranee Chiefs, I would continue the practice till the remainder were brought to their senses." etc. Trotter also discusses the war in China, and is severely critical of the "politicals' in Hyderabad and Afghanistan and describes how the Baloochees robbed the mails for Quetta. He adds in some cross-writing: "Captain Lewis of the 42nd took my likeness the other day, and although he has made me look rather fierce, yet all here say it is one of the best he has taken." Lettersheet with clear "PATNA" boxed datestamp and ms. "Candahar" on back, ms. "10 as By" , Very Fine; the pencil drawing of the lieutenan, kept by his father with the letter, accompanies this lot

20 August 1840

1st Afghan War / Occupation of Kandahar 1840 (Aug 20): Entire letter written by Lt. R.A. Trotter of 43rd Bengal N.I. from Mehi Mundul, some 50 miles south of Kandahar on the way to Quetta to Patna; endorsed "via Cabul" at top and further endorsed "Bg 10 as." in manuscript, struck on reverse with framed "PATNA / October 8 / Bearing 10 as." manuscript filled datestamp in brownish ink. Fascinating contents (transcript with the lot) concerning the force returning to face the Baluchi's who had threatened Quetta: "we left Candahar on the evening of the 13th (Aug)...with orders to make Quetta in 12 marches without a halt...we have again to cross the Kojuck Pass - worse than all. If the Belooches will only wait till we get to Quettah our own force, with what is present there, ought to give about 8'000 of them as pretty a thrashing as one can imagine...". Provenance: R.A. Siegel, New York, 30 Oct 1996, lot 2260 "Candahar July 26th/40." Dateline on eight-page folded letter from Lt. R.A. Trotter of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, to his father at Patna: "For the last two months I have been out with General Nott and rthe right wing of our Regt., knocking about the country after adventurers...without seeing a shot fired, as the whole insurrection had been put down...to give the Ghlizecs their due, they stood well. Shah Soojah, or `Our King' as Macnaghaten calls him, would be back in Lodianah long before the Regulars...It is a well known fact that the Dooranee Chiefs, although nominally friends of the Shah;s, detest him most thoroughly, so you may suppose the country is not in usch a settled state as some people would make us believe. Had I the power put into my hands I would blow away from a gun every morning a few of these sadid Dooranee Chiefs, I would continue the practice till the remainder were brought to their senses." etc. Trotter also discusses the war in China, and is severely critical of the "politicals' in Hyderabad and Afghanistan and describes how the Baloochees robbed the mails for Quetta. He adds in some cross-writing: "Captain Lewis of the 42nd took my likeness the other day, and although he has made me look rather fierce, yet all here say it is one of the best he has taken." Lettersheet with clear "PATNA" boxed datestamp and ms. "Candahar" on back, ms. "10 as By" , Very Fine; the pencil drawing of the lieutenan, kept by his father with the letter, accompanies this lot