Hist 4339
The Anglo-Afghan Wars
First Afghan War (1838-42)
• British attempt to replace Dost Mohammad
with Shah Shuja
• Expense of British garrison and subsidies
to tribal chiefs
• Repeated uprisings
• Disastrous British retreat from Kabul
• British re-invasion
• Lasting British humiliation, Afghan resentment
of outside influence
Second Afghan War (1878-80)
• British debate: “Forward school” vs.
proponents of “masterly inactivity”
• British invasion in response to Russian mission to Kabul
• Anglo-Afghan treaty giving British control over Afghan foreign affairs
• Liberal defeat of imperialist Conservative Party in Britain’s 1880 elections
Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)
• Surprise Afghan invasion of British India, with Pathan support
• Stalemate on the ground
• Despite some British concessions (Afghan autonomy), stalemate at negotiating table
Conclusion to the Great Game
• Afghanistan as buffer state
• Difficulty of conquering Afghanistan
• Great Game’s official end in 1907
Race and Empire
• Racial mixing during EIC period
• 1869 opening of Suez Canal
◦ Shorter voyage to India
◦ More British women in India
• Gendered racial notions: “martial” vs. “effeminate” races
• Anglo-Indians
