The Last Frontier Campaign: Waziristan and the Fakir of Ipi with Chris Jupp

In late 1936, a major uprising broke out in Waziristan, mostly inspired by one Haji Mirza Khan Wazir. What followed would become the final campaign of the old Indian Army on the North West Frontier, though at the time its significance went largely unrecognised, overshadowed by the gathering storm in Europe.

This was a campaign defined by resilience, hardship, and remarkable acts of courage. From the last mounted charge by Probyn’s Horse to the extraordinary stand of a handful of wounded Gurkhas at Damdil Picquet, and the intense battles against vastly larger tribal forces, the fighting was as relentless as the landscape itself. Episodes such as the Shahur Tangi ambush and the perilous night engagement along the narrow heights of Iblanke Narai capture the brutal reality of warfare on the Frontier.

Fourteen Gurkha battalions took part, further strengthening their hard-earned reputation for bravery and endurance. Many of the officers and soldiers who served in Waziristan would go on to distinguished careers during the Second World War, with some rising to senior command and others earning the highest honours for gallantry.

Join military historian Chris as he brings this largely forgotten campaign vividly to life through first-hand accounts, personal stories, and rare photographs, offering a compelling insight into one of the last chapters of frontier warfare and the men who fought it.

The event

The lecture will take place in the refurbished library at The Gurkha Museum. Guests will be welcomed with tea and coffee on arrival, and enjoy a captivating talk, followed by a Q&A session.