View source for Afridi Redshirt Rebellion Indian North West Frontier 1930 1931

'''The Afridi Redshirt Rebellion''' was a military campaign conducted by British and [[British Indian Army|Indian armies]] against Afridi tribesmen in the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North West Frontier region]] of the [[British Raj|Indian Empire]], now in [[Pakistan]] in 1930–1931.

The [[Afridi]] are a [[Karlani]] [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] tribe who inhabit the border area of [[Pakistan]], notably in the [[Spin Ghar]] mountain range to the west of [[Peshawar]] and the [[Maidan (Tirah)|Maidan Valley]] in [[Tirah]].<ref name="Tirah">T H Holdich. [http://www.khyber.org/publications/pdf/tirah.pdf "Tirah"]. ''Khyber.ORG.'' Publishing Date: December 18, 2009.</ref>

The Afridis often clashed with the British and [[British Indian Army|Indian Armies]] during India’s expansion towards the Afghan border, notably during the [[Anglo-Afghan Wars]].<ref>L. Thomas, ''Beyond Khyber Pass'', London, n.d. (ca. 1925)</ref>

In the summer of 1930 a rebellion by dissident [[Afridi]] tribesmen, known as Redshirts, broke out.  As this threatened the security of Peshawar, two [[Brigade]] Groups were sent to occupy the Khajuri Plain, west of Peshawar and south of the [[Khyber Pass]].   Their role was to open up the area by constructing roads and strong points.  This would help prevent any future tribal infiltration towards Peshawar as well as being a punitive measure, since the Afridis had been accustomed to pasture their flocks on this low ground during the winter months.<ref>{{Cite book|author= Sym, John.|title= Seaforth Highlanders. |page=229. Published Gale & Polden. 1962}}</ref>

On 17 October 1930 the British-led force crossed into the Tirah Valley at [[Bara, FATA|Bara]], six miles from Peshawar, and advanced a further seven miles to Miri Khel.  Here a fortified camp was constructed from which operations against the Afridis were conducted.

On 16 January 1931, the force was withdrawn, having accomplished its objective.<ref>{{Cite book|author= Sym, John.|title= Seaforth Highlanders. |page=229. Published Gale & Polden. 1962}}</ref>

British and Indian Army forces that took part in the campaign received the [[India General Service Medal (1909)|India General Service Medal]] with the clasp North West Frontier 1930-31.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin.|title=British Battles and Medals.|page=223. Published Spink, London. 1988}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{British colonial campaigns}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afridi Redshirt Rebellion, Indian North West Frontier 1930-31.}}
[[Category:20th-century military history of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military history of British India]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1930]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1931]]