Bookstawa – Modern History

Second Anglo Afghan War

Diplomatic Relations Between Afghanistan and Russia

The basis of the relationship between Afghanistan & the British Government in India from
1864 to 1876 was the Policy of Masterly Inactivity of the British Government. The reason for this
was that during this period, there were very less chances that the Russian Empire would interfere
with the Afghanistan in any way. But in the year 1878, Russia was seen as trying to develop
diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. Though Sher Ali, the Amir of Afghanistan, was not ready
for this. He wanted to maintain distance with both Russia and Britain. Despite this, Russia sent
their envoys to Afghanistan on 22 July, 1878 without Sher Ali’s permission. Sher Ali then had no
choice but to accept this diplomatic mission.

Failure of Diplomatic Relations Between Afghanistan and British India

When Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of India at the time, came to know about the developments
in the Russia’s diplomatic mission, he removed the Policy of Masterly Inactivity from Afghanistan
and decided to send a diplomatic mission as well. Sher Ali once again denied permission for such
a diplomatic mission and even threatened to kill the envoys if they came to Afghanistan. Yet, the
British Government did not heed to this warning and sent their diplomatic mission to the

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Afghanistan. Sher Ali was ready for this. He did not let the British diplomatic mission to even
enter the Khyber Pass and returned them right away. This formed the basis for the 2 nd
Anglo
Afghan War.

End of Sher Ali’s Rule

The British Government launched an attack immediately after their diplomatic mission
failed. Sher Ali already knew that he would not be able to defeat the British forces and ran to
Russia looking for help. Russia said that they could not help, but advised Sher Ali to accept the
British Government’s demands. He did return to Afghanistan but soon died on 21 February, 1879.

Treaty of Gandamak

By May 1879, the situation was such that a large part of Afghanistan was under the British
Government. Viceroy Lord Lytton offered Sher Ali’s son, Yaqub Khan the position of the Amir of
Afghanistan. Yaqub Khan agreed to this and signed the Treaty of Gandamak in 1879. According
to the Treaty of Gandamak -
• The British Government in India would now control all the foreign affairs in Afghanistan.
• A British Resident would be stationed at Kabul to make sure that nothing happens in
Afghanistan which is unfavourable for the British Government.

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• The British Government would provide Yaqub Khan with annual subsidy and help them in
case of foreign aggression.

Second Phase of 2 Anglo Afghan War

nd

After the treaty was signed, a British Resident and some British staff stationed themselves at
the Kabul and the remaining British forces returned to India. But as soon as the British forces left,
Afghan tribal chiefs revolted in September, 1879 which resulted in the death of the British
Resident, the British staff and the guards. This was an embarrassment for the British Government.
Hence, this became the reason for the second phase of the 2 Anglo Afghan War.
nd

Afghanistan Established as a Buffer State

The British Government recaptured Kabul again within a few days. It was being suspected
that Yaqub Khan was behind the killing of the British Resident, which is why he was removed and
Abdul Rehman, the nephew of Sher Ali, was made the Amir of Afghanistan. Abdul Rehman
agreed to the conditions of the Treaty of Gandamak. According to the Treaty of Gandamak,
Afghanistan had now become a Buffer State between British India and Russia.

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Durand Line

Around the same time, most of the India was under the British control and with heightened
border issues between India and Afghanistan. This was because there was no clear border between
them. These border issues were more prevalent in the regions where the Baluch and Pathan Tribes
resided. These tribes did not listen to the Amir of Afghanistan either. In order to end these border
issues, an agreement was made between the Amir of Afghanistan and the British Government in
1893 known as the Durand Agreement under which a boundary line was drawn between India
and Afghanistan known as the Durand Line.

North-West Frontier Province

But even so, the border issues with the tribes continued because the Baluch and Pathan
Tribes did not adhere to the Durand Line agreement. The Viceroy at the time was Lord Curzon.
He tried to maintain peace in this area and made a new province in the north-west of India called
the North-West Frontier Province. The North-West Frontier Province was kept directly under the
control of the Government of India.

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