From an album of Views in Afghanistan, by James Atkinson 1

This note, dated March 8th 1910 and written by the artist’s son, explains the provenance of an album of 17 drawings of views in Afghanistan from the Kyber Pass to Kabul by James Atkinson (1780-1852). During the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) Atkinson served as Superintending Surgeon to the Army of the Indus, a combined force of British and Indian troops. A talented amateur artist, he took the opportunity to complete many sketches en route that portrayed the mountain passes, rocky gorges and arid plains that are so characteristic of the country.