The album of 90 photographs documents the information gathering mission from Leh, India to Yarkand (Shache), China led by Sir T. D. Forsyth in 1873. The photographs portray the southern branch of the Silk Road and its routes, and are the first photographic record made of the indigenous inhabitants of Chinese Turkistan.

Edward Francis Chapman (1840-1926) was commissioned into the Bengal Artillery (later Royal Artillery) in 1858. He saw service in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Arogee, and Magdala (Amba Mariam) before accompanying Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth on his six-month mission to Yarkand (Shache) in 1873. Prior to their departure, Chapman took a compressed course in photography at the Bourne & Shepherd studio in Shimla, India. Chapman rose through the military, becoming Commander-in-Chief of India in 1881 and its Quarter-master General in 1885. In 1896, he achieved the rank of general and was made Commander Scottish District. He was awarded Knight Commander of the order of the Bath (KCB) in 1905. Chapman authored several books on military tactics and military history.

2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

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