British Wars in Afg and Others

1765

Ring Fence Policy adopted by Warren Hastings.

1814 - 1816

Anglo-Nepal War.

1816

Treaty of Sugauli signed after the Anglo-Nepal War.

1824 - 1826

1st Anglo Burma War.

1826

Treaty of Yandaboo ended the 1st Anglo Burma War.

1838

Tripartite Treaty signed under the Forward Policy of Lord Auckland.

1839 - 1842

1st Anglo-Afghan War.

1842

British retreated from Kabul; nearly annihilated (marking one of the worst defeats in British Indian history).

1852 - 1853

2nd Anglo Burma War.

1863

Dost Mohammad Khan died.

1878 - 1880

2nd Anglo-Afghan War.

1893

Durand Line was drawn to define the boundary between Afghanistan and British India.

1897

Battle of Saragarhi; 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment fought thousands of tribal warriors.

1897 - 1898

Tirah Campaign (associated with the Battle of Saragarhi).

1919

3rd Anglo-Afghan War.

19th Century Afghan Background

Tsarist Empire (Russia) expanding towards Central Asia; British feared Russia might attack India.

Buffer State

A state located between two powerful countries to prevent direct conflict between them.

Buffer State Policy

Considered necessary to make Afghanistan a buffer state to safeguard British India from Russia (like Awadh).

Ring Fence Policy Objective

To create a protective ring of friendly/allied states around Company territories to safeguard from external threats (defensive in nature).

Forward Policy

Associated with Lord Auckland; belief that if Russia advanced, it was better to intervene in Afghanistan beforehand.

Reason for Forward Policy

Dost Mohammad Khan received a Russian envoy because the EIC refused him. He initially wanted help to take Peshawar from Ranjit Singh.

Parties in the Tripartite Treaty

1. British Government, 2. Shuja Shah Durrani (Afghan Ruler), 3. Ranjit Singh (Sikh Ruler).

Objective of Tripartite Treaty

To remove Dost Mohammad Khan, install Shuja Shah on the throne, and bring Afghanistan under British influence.

1st Anglo-Afghan War details

Fought during the tenure of Lord Auckland. British successfully placed Shah Shuja (who was despised in Afghanistan), but a rebellion led to EIC collapse.

Policy of Masterly Inactivity

Adopted by John Lawrence (Governor-General) towards Afghanistan.

Sher Ali Khan

Made king, wanted friendly relations and to be left alone by Czar and EIC. Approached Czar first after EIC turned him away, leading to the 2nd War under Lord Lytton's aggressive policy.

Treaty of Gandamak

Signed between British Government and Afghan ruler Yakub Khan (Sher Ali Khan's son) during the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War.

Outcome of 2nd Anglo-Afghan War

Afghanistan's foreign policy went under British control; some frontier areas given to British India.

Proud Reserve Policy

Implemented by Lord Lytton.

Proud Reserve Policy details

Mutiny occurred; Cavagnari killed; Roberts fought Ayub (Sher Ali Khan's son).

Durand Line details

Drawn by Sir Mortimer Durand between British India and Afghan Ruler Amir Abdur Rahman Khan (the "Iron Amir").

"Iron Amir" (Amir Abdur Rahman Khan)

Sovereign internally, but foreign policy controlled by EIC. British troops left, unlike with Shah Shuja who was a puppet with British troops staying.

3rd Anglo-Afghan War details

Occurred during viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford; led by Amanullah Khan. Ended with Treaty of Rawalpindi (granted Afghanistan control over foreign affairs).

Battle of Saragarhi location

Occurred during a tribal uprising on the North-West Frontier (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan).

Treaty of Sugauli details

Determined the border between British India and Nepal; Nepal had to cede some territories.