Second Afghan War

01. Failed talks

Dost Mohammed Khan ruled Afghanistan until his death in 1863. With some exceptions, his relationship with British India was friendly, and from 1855 regulated by treaty. He was succeeded by his son Sher Ali, who continued his father's policy.

In 1878 negotiations between the Amir Sher Ali and the Viceroy of India, Lord Lytton, broke down. Amongst other things the Amir objected to the installation of a British political resident in Kabul. The establishment of political residents was a cost effective way for Britain to control foreign relations in 'buffer' states. Sensing opportunity, a Russian diplomatic delegation arrived in Kabul. A British delegation sent in response was turned back at the mouth of the Khyber Pass. Lord Lytton mobilised troops.

02. Forward policy

The objective was not to occupy, but to dominate the border between Afghanistan and India. Three forces were assembled to take Kandahar and the two main mountain routes to Kabul from the north-west of India, the Kurram and Khyber Passes. They were successful. Sher Ali fled Kabul, only to die of a heart attack. He was succeeded by his son, Yakub Khan. In return for British support, the new Amir agreed to British demands. A Residency was established in the Bala Hissar fortress at Kabul. The Amir also signed the Treaty of Gandamak (1879), giving Britain control of his foreign policy.

03. Residency massacre

Neither the new treaty nor the new Amir were universally popular in Afghanistan. In September mutinous Afghan Army soldiers from Herat appeared in Kabul demanding back-pay from the British. The Resident, Major Sir Louis Cavagnari, refused their request. Accompanied by rioting Kabulis the soldiers attacked and fired the Residency, killing its 200 occupants, including the Resident. The Amir Yakub Khan did not intervene.

04. Christmas in Kabul

When news reached India, Major-General (later Field Marshal Lord) Frederick Roberts (1832-1914) was recalled from leave and put in command of a new force. Its mission was to reach Kabul and identify those responsible for the attack. Suspected rebels were to be tried and if found guilty executed. Yakub Khan was to be defeated or deposed as occasion required.

Roberts' force was opposed by the Afghan Army at Charasiab, despite the fact that Yakub Khan had by then joined the British column. Roberts defeated the Afghan force and reached Kabul in October. The trials and executions began, but supporters of Yakub Khan and opponents of British occupation rose in revolt. Afghan armies marched on Kabul. The city had to be abandoned for a more defensible cantonment to the north. Just before Christmas 50,000 tribesmen attacked the 7,000-strong garrison. By dawn on Christmas Eve, the tribes had been dispersed. Roberts had won, and re-occupied Kabul.

05. A new ruler

Kabul having been re-occupied, British political officers began protracted talks with Abdur Rahman to replace his discredited cousin Yakub Khan. Yakub was considered at best an impotent ruler, at worst a traitor. Abdur Rahman had a claim to the throne, tribal support and was prepared to negotiate. He was finally and officially declared Amir of Afghanistan on 22 July 1880.

06. The Battle of Maiwand

One week later news reached Kabul of a serious British defeat in the south. At Maiwand the brigade sent by the Kandahar garrison to intercept another royal claimant’s army had been destroyed by it. The commander, Brigadier-General George Burrows (1827-1917) had lost 1,000 men. The claimant, Ayub Khan, Yakub's brother, now laid siege to Kandahar.

07. March to Kandahar

The new British-backed Amir could not be left with half a kingdom and a dangerous rival in the field. An Indian Army field force under General Roberts' command was dispatched from Kabul to lift the siege of Kandahar and defeat the Afghan army. Roberts' troops covered the 530km (329 miles) in three weeks. At the Battle of Kandahar in September 1880 Roberts' field force and the Kandahar garrison were victorious. Ayub Khan's hopes were dashed. Amir Abdur Rahman's rule had been secured. The British withdrew from Afghanistan in April 1881.