THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1922, Page 5

THE PRINCE IN INDIA.

AN HISTORIC SPOT. THROUGH K.YBER PASS. THE FAMOUS GATEWAY. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.-—Copyright. Delhi, March 5. All the hill forts and watch-towers in the Kyber Pass were manned when the Prince motored through the famous pass to the Afghan frontier at Lan di khana. Riflemen stood at the salute in little groups on the slender crags and peeped down from the dizzy heights into the winding road, which was lined with native infantry. Over fifteen hundred Afridi warriofs were posted on the hills along the defile in addition to the regular frontier garrisons. The word “welcome” was picked out on white-washed stones beside some tiny watch-towers poised among the clouds, while the mule corps, encamped near Ali Musjid, emblazoned the greeting in ten-foot letters on the steep slope. There were also several gay arches erected by the tribesmen over the route. The Prince was not to see the usual caravan traffic, as the pass was kept clear for his journey. At Landikha na he visited the last outposts of the GMNrkas looking into Afghanistan, and saw a single tent just beyond the frontier where a few of the Amir’s infantry guard their side of the gate of India. Beyond was a fine view of the Afghan plain with snow-capped mountains in the distance. On the return journey the Prince participated in a striking scene near Jamrud. A thousand maliks or village elders, representing the entire Afridi nation, gathered, mostly old bearded meh who squatted on costly carpets before the chairs where the Prince sat with the Chief Commissioner of the north-west frontier and the political agent. The Maliks presented the Prince, with a sheep, specimens of ancient Afridi arms and the most modern rifle they can manufacture in their primitive (factory.