"What did the British Residency at Kabul 1879 look like?" Topic

I've been interested in running games based on the last stand of the Guides at Kabul since reading about the action when I was a teen. I've run the scenario a couple of times. Of course the Residency looked nothing like the one in the Far Pavilions miniseries. But I am having a hard time making sense of the contemporary illustrations, photos and maps which were made shortly after the siege which left the Residency a burnt ruin. Some illustrations show an ornate structure while others look like a lump of mud. Contemporary maps also vary. I wonder if any TMP members have done research, or, better yet, built a model.

I have also seen a variety of descriptions – I finally settled on The Bala Hissar of Kabul : revealing a fortress-palace in Afghanistan by Brigadier Woodburn, C. W (Institution of Royal Engineers) – though considered the aspect that the fortress appeared a bit dilapidated by 1879

link

Also this photo from a collection taken in 1878-1880 link

DisasterWargamer,

Thank you very much! The map and the explanation really help my understanding. However, since I don't have the time or energy to scratch build the complex, I think I am going to go with the Old Glory Afghan Hill Fort. It's 15mm but roomy enough for my 25mm figures.

Would be nice to see a miniatures version of it though