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] 1877, Queen Victoria's assumption of the title of Empress of India {Kaisar-i-Hind) was announced at a great Darbdr at Delhi. In 1877 Kashmir, hitherto controlled by the Lieutenant-Governor, was put directly under the Government of India. The same year and the next the province was tried by famine, and in 1878-80 it was the base from

Fig. 69. Panjab Camels — Lahore.

which our armies marched on Kabul and Kandahar, while its resources in camels were strained to supply transport. Apart from this its interest in the war was very great because it is the chief recruiting ground of the Indian army and its chiefs sent contingents to help their suzerain. The first stage of the war was closed by the treaty of Gandamak in May, 1879, by which Yakub