“We have nothing to fear from Afghanistan, and the best thing to do is to leave it as much as possible to itself. It may not be very flattering to our amour propre, but I feel sure I am right when I say that the less the Afghans see of us the less they will dislike us. Should Russia in future years attempt to conquer Afghanistan, or invade India through it, we should have a better chance of attaching the Afghans to our interest if we avoid all interference with them in the meantime” – Sir Frederick Roberts, ca 1890.

A British account of two Anglo-Afghan wars, fought between British India and Afghanistan; the first war took place from 1839-1842, and and the second from 1878-1880. Though history dictates the conclusion of both British invasions (in which neither side really wins the wars and the Britons retreat twice, but still accomplish their objectives), Forbes’ account is saturated with details of the occupations and soldiers’ experiences, while still conveying the overall experience and outcome of each war. It also includes illustrations of important figures and war plans which complement Forbes’ descriptions. This work is perfect for students of British and Middle Eastern military history.

ARCHIBALD FORBES (1838-1900) was a British war correspondent born in Morayshire, Scotland. He attended the University of Aberdeen before entering the Royal Dragoons as a private. He was injured and released from his regiment; he was working as a journalist in London when the Franco-Prussian War began in 1870 and he was drafted to the front lines as a correspondent. He became a representative for the Daily News which publicized his work in intelligence transmission. After the war, he traveled to Spain, India, Serbia, Cyprus, and South Africa, working for the Daily News and reporting on various wars and campaigns. Forbes also authored several books, including an autobiography, about his experiences.

CONTENTS

PART I.–THE FIRST AFGHAN WAR

CHAP.

I.–PRELIMINARY

II.–THE MARCH TO CABUL

III.–THE FIRST YEAR OF OCCUPATION

IV.–THE SECOND YEAR OF OCCUPATION

V.–THE BEGINNING OF THE END

VI.–THE ROAD TO RUIN

VII.–THE CATASTROPHE

VIII.–THE SIEGE AND DEFENCE OF JELLALABAD

IX.–RETRIBUTION AND RESCUE

PART II.–THE SECOND AFGHAN WAR

I.–THE FIRST CAMPAIGN

II.–THE OPENING OF THE SECOND CAMPAIGN

III.–THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM

IV.–THE DECEMBER STORM

V.–ON THE DEFENSIVE IN SHERPUR

VI.–AHMED KHEL

VII.–THE AMEER ABDURRAHMAN

VIII.–MAIWAND AND THE GREAT MARCH

IX.–THE BATTLE OF CANDAHAR

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND PLANS

PORTRAIT OF SIR FREDERICK ROBERTS  Frontispiece

PLAN OF CABUL, THE CANTONMENT

PORTRAIT OF SIR GEORGE POLLOCK

PORTRAIT OF SIR LOUIS CAVAGNARI AND SIRDARS

PLAN OF CABUL SHOWING THE ACTIONS, DEC. 11-14

PLAN OF ACTION, AHMED KHEL

PORTRAIT OF THE AMEER ABDURRAHMAN

PLAN OF THE ACTION OF MAIWAND

PLAN OF THE ACTION OF CANDAHAR