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.
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.
