Anglo-Afghan War facts for kids

The Anglo-Afghan Wars were a series of important military conflicts between the British Empire and Afghanistan. These wars took place mainly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were a big part of a larger competition called the Great Game, where Britain and Russia tried to gain influence in Central Asia. The main Anglo-Afghan Wars are known as the First, Second, and Third Anglo-Afghan Wars.

What Caused the Anglo-Afghan Wars?

The British Empire was growing in India and wanted to protect its borders. Afghanistan was a key country because it was between British India and the Russian Empire. Both powerful empires wanted to control or influence Afghanistan. The British worried that Russia might try to expand into India through Afghanistan. This fear led Britain to try and control Afghanistan's foreign policy.

The Great Game: A Rivalry for Influence

The "Great Game" was a period of intense rivalry between the British and Russian Empires. They competed for power and influence in Central Asia. Afghanistan became a buffer state, meaning it was a neutral area between the two empires. Britain wanted Afghanistan to be friendly to them and not to Russia. This competition often led to military actions and political pressure.

The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842)

The First Anglo-Afghan War began when Britain tried to put a ruler they preferred, Shah Shuja, back on the Afghan throne. The British believed the current ruler, Dost Mohammad Khan, was too friendly with Russia. British forces marched into Afghanistan and successfully placed Shah Shuja in power. However, the Afghan people did not accept him.

British Retreat and Disaster

After a few years, the Afghans rebelled against the British-backed ruler. In 1842, the British decided to retreat from Kabul. This retreat turned into a terrible disaster. Afghan fighters attacked the British army and its followers as they tried to march through the snowy mountains. Almost all of the 16,000 people on the retreat were killed or captured. This was a major defeat for the British Empire.

The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880)

The Second Anglo-Afghan War started because Britain was still worried about Russian influence in Afghanistan. The Afghan ruler, Sher Ali Khan, welcomed a Russian diplomatic mission but refused a British one. This made the British angry, and they invaded Afghanistan again. British forces quickly defeated the Afghan army and occupied parts of the country.

Treaty of Gandamak and Its Aftermath

After the British victory, the Treaty of Gandamak was signed in 1879. This treaty gave Britain control over Afghanistan's foreign policy. It also allowed a British representative to live in Kabul. However, the Afghan people soon rebelled again. The British representative and his staff were killed, leading to more fighting. Eventually, a new Afghan ruler, Abdur Rahman Khan, took power. He agreed to British control over foreign affairs in exchange for British support.

The Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)

The Third Anglo-Afghan War was much shorter than the first two. It began in 1919, shortly after World War I ended. Afghanistan's new ruler, Emir Amanullah Khan, wanted full independence from British influence. He launched an attack on British India.

Afghanistan Gains Full Independence

The war lasted only about a month. Both sides had some military successes. However, the British were tired after World War I and did not want a long conflict. The war ended with the Treaty of Rawalpindi. This treaty officially recognized Afghanistan as a fully independent nation, free from British control over its foreign policy. This was a big victory for Afghanistan.

See Also

• European influence in Afghanistan, where the backdrop for the three colonial-era Anglo−Afghan wars mentioned above is discussed
• The Great Game, where the geopolitical aspects of the wars are reviewed
• War in Afghanistan (disambiguation), overview of different periods or phases of wars in Afghanistan