Arabie

1880 — 8vo. Two reports together in one issue, 23 pages combined, plus sketch illustrations, one which is a fold-out and a fold-out colour map, measuring approximately 13 x 14 inches (33 x 36cm). Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. Dealing specifically with the construction of a railway from Sukkur in today's Pakistan to Kandahar in Afghanistan, in the late 1870s during "The Great Game", Sir Temple gives an explicit account of the progress of construction, and of the geography, illustrating the region with sketches which were prepared on the spot by Lieutenant Goerge Temple of the British Navy. The immense undertaking is further illustrated with a striking colour fold-out map showing railways constructed and in operation, and other tracts proposed. Consisting of the important Bolan Pass railway, and the Sindh-Peshin railway where the Harnai line and the Quetta loop line meet, the tracks were forged through low range hills, an arid desert, the Pishinaleey of Pishin, and the Bolan Pass of the Toba Kakar Range in Balochistan - a pass which has always occupied an important place in the history of British campaigns in Afghanistan. Captain R. Beavan was Assistant-Superintendent of the Survey of India, and presents in his account a scientific assessment of the rivers, desert regions and valleys in Afghanistan, between Kandahar and Girishk, the latter being 75 miles northwest and originally built around a fort which was twice taken and abandoned by British forces.