Second Anglo-Afghan War

The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) was a major military conflict between the British Empire and the Emirate of Afghanistan, fought during the height of the “Great Game” — the strategic rivalry between Britain and Russia for influence in Central Asia. The war arose from British fears of growing Russian influence in Afghanistan and their determination to secure India’s north-western frontier.
The conflict resulted in the temporary British occupation of Afghanistan, the installation of a pro-British ruler, and the formal establishment of British control over Afghanistan’s foreign policy. However, it also provoked strong Afghan resistance and led to another reassessment of British frontier policy.

Background and Causes

After the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842), the British had withdrawn from Afghanistan, and the country remained largely isolated under the rule of Amir Sher Ali Khan, a son of Dost Mohammad Khan.
By the 1870s, tensions in Central Asia between the Russian Empire and British India had intensified. Russia’s steady southward expansion into Turkestan alarmed the British, who feared that Russian agents might influence Kabul or use Afghanistan as a base to threaten India.
Major Causes of the War:

1. The Great Game Rivalry:
   • Russian expansion in Central Asia (towards Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand) brought the Russian Empire dangerously close to the Afghan frontier.
   • British India viewed Afghanistan as a vital buffer state between the two empires.
2. Russian Mission to Kabul (1878):
   • In July 1878, a Russian diplomatic mission led by General Stolietov arrived at Kabul and was warmly received by Amir Sher Ali Khan.
   • Britain, alarmed by this development, demanded that a British mission also be allowed to visit Kabul.
3. Refusal of the British Mission:
   • Sher Ali Khan, suspicious of British intentions and wary of foreign interference, refused entry to the British mission led by Sir Neville Chamberlain, which was stopped at the Khyber Pass.
   • This was seen by the British as an affront to their prestige.
4. British Declaration of War:
   • Using the rejection of the mission as a pretext, the British Viceroy Lord Lytton declared war on Afghanistan in November 1878.

Course of the War

The Second Anglo-Afghan War can be divided into two distinct phases:

Phase I: The British Invasion (1878–1879)

• The British launched a three-pronged invasion of Afghanistan:
  • Khyber Pass Column under General Browne advanced towards Ali Masjid.
  • Kurram Valley Column under General Roberts moved toward Kabul via the Pewar Pass.
  • Kandahar Column under General Stewart advanced from the south.
• The British forces achieved rapid victories, occupying key cities and forcing the Afghans to retreat.
• Amir Sher Ali Khan, unable to resist the British advance, fled northward seeking Russian assistance. However, he received none and died in February 1879.
• His son, Yakub Khan, succeeded him and sought peace with the British.

Treaty of Gandamak (May 1879)

The Treaty of Gandamak was signed between Sir Louis Cavagnari (British representative) and Amir Yakub Khan.
Key Terms of the Treaty:

1. Afghanistan’s Foreign Policy:
   • The Amir agreed to conduct his foreign affairs under British guidance, effectively making Afghanistan a British protectorate in foreign matters.
2. Cession of Territory:
   • Certain frontier districts, including Kurram, Pishin, and Sibi, were ceded to the British.
3. British Resident at Kabul:
   • A British envoy (resident) with a small escort would be stationed at Kabul.
4. Financial Assistance:
   • The British agreed to provide a subsidy to the Amir for maintaining internal stability.

This treaty appeared to end hostilities, and British forces began withdrawing.

Phase II: The Kabul Uprising (1879–1880)

However, the peace proved short-lived. The presence of a British envoy in Kabul was deeply resented by Afghan nobles and soldiers.

• In September 1879, an uprising broke out in Kabul, and the British Resident Sir Louis Cavagnari and his entire escort were massacred.
• This event reignited the war.

British Retaliation:

• The British immediately launched a second invasion under General Frederick Roberts, who advanced to Kabul and defeated Afghan forces in October 1879.
• Amir Yakub Khan abdicated, and the British temporarily occupied Kabul.

The Battle of Maiwand (July 1880)

• Afghan resistance continued, particularly under Ayub Khan, the brother of Yakub Khan.
• Ayub Khan led Afghan forces against the British at Maiwand, near Kandahar, inflicting a major defeat on the British under General Burrows.
• This was one of the few major Afghan victories in the war and became a symbol of national pride.

Relief of Kandahar (September 1880):

• General Frederick Roberts led a remarkable forced march from Kabul to Kandahar (over 500 km in 20 days) and defeated Ayub Khan’s army in September 1880, restoring British control.

End of the War

After the defeat of Ayub Khan, the British decided to withdraw, having achieved their primary goal of securing influence over Afghanistan’s foreign relations.
The British installed Abdur Rahman Khan (grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan) as the new Amir of Afghanistan.

• Abdur Rahman accepted the condition that Britain would control Afghanistan’s foreign affairs, while internal administration would remain under Afghan rule.
• This marked the beginning of a British-influenced buffer state between India and Russia.

British troops finally withdrew from Afghanistan in 1881, ending the war.

Consequences of the War

1. Political Outcomes:

• Afghanistan’s foreign policy came under British control, fulfilling Britain’s strategic objective.
• Abdur Rahman Khan emerged as a strong ruler and successfully stabilised the country under British recognition.

2. Territorial Changes:

• The British retained control over Kurram, Pishin, and Sibi, strengthening their north-western frontier.
• These areas later became part of British India’s frontier provinces (and are today within Pakistan).

3. Human and Financial Losses:

• Thousands of Afghan and British soldiers perished.
• The war was financially costly and politically unpopular in Britain.

4. Strategic Outcome:

• Established Afghanistan as a buffer state between the British and Russian empires.
• Britain avoided direct annexation of Afghan territory, adopting the “Forward Policy” — maintaining influence without occupation.

5. Impact on Anglo-Afghan Relations:

• Although the war secured British strategic interests temporarily, it also deepened Afghan suspicion of foreign powers.
• The British respected Afghanistan’s internal autonomy thereafter, learning from earlier wars that direct control was untenable.

Significance

The Second Anglo-Afghan War was a decisive episode in the Great Game and the shaping of South Asian geopolitics.

• It reaffirmed Britain’s position in Central Asia while keeping Russia at bay.
• It demonstrated Afghanistan’s fierce independence and the futility of direct imperial control.
• It set the stage for the Durand Line Agreement (1893), which formally demarcated the border between British India and Afghanistan.