Photograph of Sir Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari (1841-79) meeting with Afghan leaders in a garden in Jalalabad. The large group of Afghan leaders are arranged in a semi-circle around a series of patterned rugs. They are wearing loose robes and turbans and several are carrying weapons. Sir Cavagnari is kneeling at the centre of the group facing partly to the left. He is wearing military uniform and a helmet and is holding a sword in his right hand. Another British soldier is sitting on the ground in front of him, his arm around a young Afghan boy. Buildings and trees can be seen behind the group.

Sir Cavagnari was the British representative in Kabul following the Treaty of Gandamak which ended the first phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-80). He was killed by Afghan forces a few months later. This photograph was taken by John Burke, who was travelling with the Peshawar Valley Field Force, during the preceding negotiations with local Indigenous peoples.