DURING the 1st Afghan War (1839-1842) the fortress town of Jellalabad was besieged for five months by Afghan forces.
Its defenders were the 13th Light Infantry and the 35th Bengal Light Infantry. The 13th Light Infantry became the Somerset Light Infantry.
This painting shows a successful sortie from the town on April 1, 1842, by 400 men from the two regiments.
They successfully captured 500 sheep and goats.
The 35th decided not to claim their share of the animals, explaining that meat was far less necessary to them than to Europeans.
Strong mutual respect existed between the two regiments throughout the long siege. Jellalabad Barracks near Vivary Park was named after this famous battle.
The painting is on display in the Somerset Military Museum, part of the Museum of Somerset.
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