21 - 27 June 2027 - Broad Chalke, Salisbury

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Enjoy Chalke year-round by joining the Chalke History Club, with access to past talks, exclusive online events and festival benefits. (2026 talks added in the autumn)

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The Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan 1842

William Dalrymple

16/04/2014

‘It’s easier to go in than to come out.’ Someone might well have been remembering the British withdrawal in 1842 when delivering that advice to the Russians, the Americans or anyone else who has become embroiled in Afghanistan’s complex tribal system. The retreat from Kabul in 1842 was one of the greatest disasters suffered in the history of the British army but it could have been avoided. In this fascinating talk, laced with accounts of the lives of those who were there, best-selling author William Dalrymple tells the shocking story of Imperial Britain’s most humiliating defeat at the hands of poorly-equipped tribesmen who had responded to the call for jihad. This is a story that provides a powerful and important parable of colonial ambition and cultural collusion, folly and hubris, for our times.

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Christina Lamb interview

24.06.15

Christina Lamb, US editor for the Sunday Times, talks to us about her career in Journalism, her time in Kabul and thoughts on its future.

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The Festival will return in 2027! 21st - 27th June, 2027. Keep up to date on all the festival news, including the latest line up announcements.

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