First Afghan War
The Army of the Indus forcing the Bolan Pass, 1839. NAM 1971-02-33-481-6
Afghanistan’s position between the Russian Empire and India meant that the British East India Company was anxious to ensure that a pro-British Emir was on the throne at Kabul. Fearful of a Russian invasion of India via the Khyber and Bolan Passes, in 1837 the British sent an envoy to Kabul to gain the support of the Emir, Dost Mohammed.
A change of ruler required
The Emir was in favour of an alliance, but when the British refused to help him regain Peshawar, which the Sikhs had seized in 1834, he prepared to talk to the Russians, who sent an envoy to Kabul. This led Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India, to conclude that Dost Mohammed was anti-British. The decision was taken to replace him as Emir with a former ruler, Shah Shuja who was considered to be more pro-British.
Mission accomplished?
In spring 1839 a 12,000 strong British-Indian force, the Army of the Indus under Sir John Keane, forced the Bolan Pass and captured Kandahar without a fight. Soon after the fortress of Ghazni was seized.
Storming the fort of Ghazni, July 1839. NAM 1971-02-33-480-4
Dost Mohammed fled from Kabul and Shah Shuja was duly installed as Emir in August. The British could not afford to keep troops in Kabul indefinitely, and preparations were made to withdraw the majority of them.
Storming of Khelat, November 1839.
NAM 1971-02-33-480-11
Action at Khelat
On their way back to India, the Army of the Indus inflicted punishment on the Baluchi Khans of Khelat. This was because of their constant attacks on British supply lines.
After fierce fighting in the surrounding hills, the walls of Khelat were successfully stormed and the city captured.
Murder at Kabul
Two envoys and a small garrison had been left in Kabul. Popular opposition to Shah Shuja and resentment of the British grew.
It soon developed into an insurrection led by Dost Mohammad's son, Muhammad Akbar Khan (pictured left c1842, NAM 1950-11-55-24). The British diplomats, including Sir William Hay MacNaghten, were murdered and the garrison was eventually forced to surrender.
Disastrous retreat
In January 1842 the Kabul garrison of 4,500 British and Indian troops with 12,000 camp followers marched out of the city with the promise that it would be allowed to retreat to India in safety. It came under immediate attack as it struggled through the cold, mountainous terrain and only a few troops escaped massacre at the Gandamak Pass.
The last stand of the 44th Regiment at Gandamak, 1842. NAM 1987-06-14
When the Afghans surrounded these survivors on 12 January they offered surrender terms once more. This was refused. According to legend, one British NCO shouted back: ‘Not bloody likely’. Only a handful of men, including Dr. W. Brydon, survived to tell the tale.
Army of retribution
A national uprising ensued in Afghanistan and the British garrison at Jellalabad was besieged until a force known as the Army of Retribution under Major-General George Pollock relieved them. Pollock’s troops then linked up with the Kandahar garrison and marched back to India via Kabul.
Revenge
Prisoners under escort of the 19th Bombay Native Infantry. NAM 1971-02-33-480-7
At Kabul they rescued 95 British hostages from an earlier massacre and, in a pointless act of revenge, destroyed the citadel and bazaar. By this time Shah Shuja had been murdered and Dost Mohammed restored to the throne.
The Company decided that occupying the country would cost too much in men and money and withdrew. The war had been a complete failure.
