Today, we often hear commentary on our longest war and continued involvement in Afghanistan. Many Americans probably do not realize that the British Empire was heavily involved in that region in a struggle with Imperial Russia during the 19th century.
In fact, British forces fought in three Afghan wars. Fortunately, the U.S. has evaded that fate.
Historical Background of British Involvement in Afghanistan
British interest in Afghanistan stemmed from the need to protect India, which was then the “jewel in the crown” of its colonial empire. At the same time, Imperial Russia was expanding eastward and Afghanistan was a vacuum between the two great rival empires.
The two nations clashed in war from 1839 to 1842. It was the first of the three Anglo-Afghan Wars.
Imperial Russian influence in Afghanistan was a threat to the British Empire. British leaders believed that Russia might launch an expedition into India through the Khyber Pass (now part of Pakistan) over the Himalayas. This suspicion let to the second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878 to 1880 and a third war from 1914 to 1919.
While the Russians never truly invaded Afghanistan in the 19th century, their modern counterparts certainly have. Soviet forces fought a merciless war there from 1979 to 1989.
The Soviet effort was thwarted by U.S. assistance to tribal groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The war was a contributing factor to the bankruptcy and collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Are We Seeing a Resurgence of ‘The Great Game?’ between Russia and the US?
The 19th-century clashes between Britain and Russia were called, “The Great Game.” Czarist Russians referred to it as “The Tournament of Shadows.”
Russia had agents working inside Afghanistan. The British had agents supporting their interests in Kabul as well.
The “game” was less about the Afghans’ welfare and more about securing the goals of the two conflicting empires. This “game” continued until the inconclusive end of the third Anglo-Afghan War in May 1919.
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