The Afghan Campaigns of 1878 1880: Compiled from Official and Private Sources. HISTORICAL & BIOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS

By Sidney H Shadbolt

In 1878-80, British-Indian forces fought a war to ensure that Afghanistan remained free from Russian interference. Although the campaign was eventually brought to a successful conclusion, the British suffered several setbacks in their struggle to control the volatile country. Throughout the 19th century, the British Government was convinced that the extension of Russian influence over Central Asia constituted a real threat to its Indian domains. This had led Britain to first invade Afghanistan in 1839 with disastrous consequences. In 1876, the spectre of Russian interference appeared once more when the Emir of Afghanistan, Sher Ali, was visited by a Russian diplomatic mission. When he then refused to accept a British envoy, the Viceroy of India, Lord Lytton, decided to act. The war was fought as part of Britain's 'Great Game' with Russia for influence in the traditionally turbulent wilds of Afghanistan. This volume comprises historical and biographical sections, including a concise overview of the war, maps detailing operations and troop movements, and 140 facsimile Woodburytype portraits. It features photographs of officers who fell in the campaigns and of Victoria Cross recipients, accompanied by memoirs compiled from materials provided by relatives and surviving comrades. Summaries of regimental movements and individual service records of all British officers employed in the war are also included. Special attention has been given to restoring the officer portraits, using modern technology to counteract the darkening that occurs over time, returning the Woodburytypes to their original clarity and quality. The British left Afghanistan in the hands of Abdur Rahman, who agreed to conduct his foreign policy through the Government of India. They also seized several Afghan districts in the Khyber and Kurram border areas. However, the provocative policy of maintaining a British resident in Kabul was quietly dropped. The last British and Indian soldiers left the country in April 1881. Author Sydney H. Shadbolt was a London barrister and the author of works on imperial subjects.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1474538894
• ISBN13: 9781474538893
• Release Date: August 2023
• Publisher: Naval & Military Press
• Length: 674 Pages
• Weight: 3.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 8.3" x 11.7"