The First Afghan War 1839–42

Invasion, catastrophe and retreat

The First Afghan War 1839–42 cover

The First Afghan War 1839–42

Invasion, catastrophe and retreat

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Description

A highly illustrated study of the First Afghan War, a bitter setback for British forces in the Great Game played out in the 19th century.

In 1839 forces of the British East India Company crossed the Indus to invade Afghanistan on the pretext of reinstating a former king Shah Soojah to his rightful throne. The reality was that this was another step in Britain's Great Game – Afghanistan would create a buffer to any potential Russian expansion towards India.

This history traces the initial, campaign which would see the British easily occupy Kabul and the rebellion that two years later would see the British army humbled. Forced to negotiate a surrender the British fled Kabul en masse in the harsh Afghan winter. Decimated by Afghan guerilla attacks and by the harsh cold and a lack of food and supplies just one European – Dr Brydon would make it to the safety of Jalalabad five days later.

Richard Macrory goes on to trace the retribution attack on Kabul the following year, which destroyed the symbolic Mogul Bazaar before rapidly withdrawing and leaving Afghanistan in peace for nearly a generation.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing armies
Opposing plans
The campaign
Aftermath
The battlefield today

Further reading
Index

Product details

Published Aug 25 2016
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472813985
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 35 b/w; 44 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 298
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Richard Macrory Hon KC

Richard Macrory Hon KC is Emeritus Professor of en…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

Resources

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