The Great Game: Russo–British Rivalry in Central Asia
- Definition
- “The Great Game” was the 19th-century geopolitical struggle between Britain and Russia for influence in Central Asia.
- British Fears
- Britain feared that Russian expansion southward through Central Asia threatened India, the “Jewel in the Crown.”
- Afghanistan’s Position
- Served as a buffer state between British India and the Russian Empire.
- Russian Advances
- Russia annexed Turkestan, Tashkent, and Samarkand, alarming British policymakers.
- Resulting Policy
- Britain aimed to control or influence Kabul through treaties, subsidies, and invasions.
Definition
The Great Game
- Strategic rivalry between Britain and Russia over Central Asia.
Definition
Geopolitics
- Foreign policy driven by geography and power balance.
Case study
The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842)
Causes
- British believed Dost Mohammad Khan, the Afghan ruler, was negotiating with Russia.
- Aimed to replace him with Shah Shuja, a pro-British leader.
- Britain sought to prevent Russia from gaining influence in Kabul.
- The Simla Manifesto (1838) justified the invasion as protecting India’s security.
- Overconfidence in military superiority and misunderstanding of Afghan tribal politics.
Consequences
- British captured Kabul but faced constant tribal uprisings.
- A disastrous retreat from Kabul (1842) led to the annihilation of a 16,000-strong force. Only one survivor reached Jalalabad.
- Shah Shuja was assassinated; Dost Mohammad returned to power.
- Major British humiliation; policy shifted to non-intervention for decades.
- Proved Afghanistan’s fierce independence and unity against foreign rule.
Renewed Rivalry and the Anglo-Afghan Wars
- Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880)
- Sparked when Russia sent an envoy to Kabul and the British were refused entry.
- British invaded again, capturing Kandahar and Kabul.
- Installed Abdur Rahman Khan as Amir under the Treaty of Gandamak (1879). Britain controlled Afghan foreign affairs.
- British influence remained limited; Afghanistan retained internal independence.
- Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919): Amir Amanullah Khan used post-WWI turmoil to declare independence; Britain recognized sovereignty after the Treaty of Rawalpindi.
Definition
Treaty of Gandamak (1879)
- Gave Britain control over Afghan foreign policy.
Definition
Treaty of Rawalpindi (1919)
- Ended British control over Afghan diplomacy.
Case study
The Second and Third Anglo-Afghan Wars
Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880)
- Russia sent an envoy to Kabul; Britain demanded equal representation.
- Afghan refusal led to invasion by British forces from India.
- Amir Sher Ali fled; his successor Yaqub Khan signed the Treaty of Gandamak.
- Uprising in Kabul (1879) killed the British envoy; renewed fighting followed.
- Abdur Rahman Khan later became ruler, balancing loyalty and autonomy.
Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)
- After WWI, Amanullah Khan declared independence.
- Short but symbolic war against British India. Both sides suffered losses.
- Ended with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, granting full Afghan sovereignty.
- Afghanistan became the first country in Asia to regain independence after imperial rule.
- Inspired nationalist movements across Central and South Asia.
Policies of the Afghan Monarchy and Resistance to British Influence
- Dost Mohammad Khan (1826–1863)
- Unified Afghanistan; played Britain and Russia against each other to maintain independence.
- Abdur Rahman Khan (1880–1901)
- Known as the “Iron Amir,” centralized power, repressed rebellions, and modernized administration while cooperating with Britain on borders.
- Amanullah Khan (1919–1929)
- Pursued modernization. He introduced education, women’s reforms, and diplomatic relations with other nations.
- Resistance and Rebellion
- Afghan tribal leaders resisted any foreign troops or control of their faith and trade.
- Legacy
- Afghan kings successfully used diplomacy, geography, and unity to preserve independence.
Common Mistake
- Assuming Afghanistan was colonized: It was a protectorate, never a British colony.
- Confusing the wars: First (1839–42) = invasion failure; Second (1878–80) = partial control; Third (1919) = independence.
- Ignoring Afghan leadership: Monarchs like Dost Mohammad and Amanullah were active diplomats, not passive victims.
Exam technique
- Timeline Clarity: Present events as a chain — Great Game → 1st War → 2nd War → 3rd War → Independence.
- Balance Viewpoints: Include both British motives and Afghan resistance.
- Use Treaties as Evidence: Cite Gandamak (1879) and Rawalpindi (1919) for exam precision.
Self review
- Examine the causes and consequences of the Anglo-Afghan Wars.
- Assess the role of Afghanistan in the Great Game between Britain and Russia.
- To what extent did Afghan monarchs successfully resist British influence between 1839 and 1919?
