JOWAKI. 1877–78.
Reading edition
The disturbances in the Malay Peninsular were scarcely settled when the Indian Government was compelled to despatch an expedition against the Jowakis, a ferocious tribe of the Afridis, occupying the hills on the Afghan border to the west of the Indus. During the months of October and November, 1877, they swept down from their mountains on the plains below, slaughtered the inhabitants, burnt their villages, and carried away their cattle and property. In one of these raids they had the daring to attack a detachment of troops guarding stores near the frontier, though a few months previously they had been severely chastised by a small force sent against them under Sir R. Pollock. To put an end to these continued incursions, and to reduce these freebooters to submission, a regular force was organised under the command of Generals Keyes and Ross, the former being Brigadier. General Keyes with the main body advanced through the defiles, attacked the Jowakis, destroyed their crops and walled villages, and blew up many of their fortified towers. On the 1st of December he reached Jummoo, the principal stronghold of the tribe; a town situated in a fertile and cultivated valley, watered by a fine stream. The town was captured with trifling loss, the Jowakis being taken by surprise, abandoned their goods and dwellings and fled to the mountains. Here General Keyes for a while halted, while the troops scoured the adjacent valleys, taking away the cattle and burning the villages.
About the end of January, 1878, the head men of the Jowakis came into the camp and made overtures for peace; but on learning the terms on which it would be granted, declined to accept them, and withdrew. Hostilities were resumed, and on February 15th., a body of troops, consisting almost entirely of cavalry, inflicted a crushing defeat on the tribesmen, which effectually dispersed them, and resulted in their unconditional surrender. The British regiments employed in this expedition were the 9th. and 51st. Foot, and 4th. Battalion Rifle Brigade.
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