Hist 4339

The Anglo-Afghan Wars

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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, especially from Ghilzai                            

• 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 Sher Ali in Kabul

• Yaqub signed Anglo-Afghan treaty giving British control over Afghan foreign affairs

• Battle of Maiwand (fictional Watson wounded)

• Liberal defeat of imperialist Conservative Party in Britain’s 1880 elections

Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)

• Amanullah’s surprise 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