Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80

?Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute

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Title: Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute
Author: Theo. F. Rodenbough
Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7320] [This file was first posted on April 12, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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AFGHANISTAN AND THE ANGLO-RUSSIAN DISPUTE
by THEO. F. RODENBOUGH
Bvt. Brigadier General, U.S.A

AN ACCOUNT OF RUSSIA'S ADVANCE TOWARD INDIA, BASED UPON THE REPORTS AND EXPERIENCES OF RUSSIAN, GERMAN, AND BRITISH OFFICERS AND TRAVELLERS; WITH A DESCRIPTION OF AFGHANISTAN AND OF THE MILITARY RESOURCES OF THE POWERS CONCERNED
[Illustration: Afghanistan: England versus Russia]
[Illustration: The Ruler of Afghanistan, Abdurrahman Khan, Ameer of Kabul]

* * * * *
WITH THREE MAPS AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS
* * * * *

CONTENTS.
I. THROUGH THE GATES OF ASIA
II. ON THE THRESHOLD OF INDIA
III. THE BRITISH FORCES AND ROUTES
IV. THE RUSSIAN FORCES AND APPROACHES
V. REVIEW OF THE MILITARY SITUATION LIST OF AUTHORITIES INDEX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
MAPS.
Afghanistan and the Surrounding Territories (Drawn for this Work and Corrected by the Latest Military Surveys--end of vol.)
The Asiatic Territories Absorbed by Russia During the Past Two Centuries, with the Dates of the Various Annexations
The Russian Lines of Advance from their Base of Supplies

CUTS.
Abdurrahman Khan, Ameer of Kabul (Frontispiece)
Mahaz Khan (A Tajik), Khan of Pest Bolak Jehandad (Lohanir), from Ghazni
Wullie Mohammed, a Dahzungi Hazara Pozai Khan, a Shinwarri (Musician)
Khan Baz, a Khumbhur Khel Afreedi Tooro Baz, a Kookie Khel Afreedi
Zool Kuddar, an Adam Khel Afreedi Mousa, a Kizilbash, Born in Peshawur
The City of Kandahar, Afghanistan
Castle of Zohak, First March from Bamian, Irak Road to Kabul
An Afghan Post-Chaise; Going to the Front
Gate of the Bazaar at Kabul
Major-General, Sir F. S. Roberts, V.C., K.C.B.
Khelat-i-Ghilzi, between Kandahar and Ghazni
Elephant with Artillery; on the Road to Ali Musjid
Detail of Elephant Saddle
Noah's Valley, Kunar River
Watch Tower in the Khaiber Pass
Fort of Ali Musjid, from the Heights above Lala Cheena, in the Khaiber Pass
Fort of Dakka, on the Kabul River
The Ishbola Tepe, Khaiber Pass
Entrance to the Bolan Pass, from Dadur
Entrance to the Khojak Pass, from Pishin, on the Road to Kandahar
The Order of March in Central Asia
Gorge in the Tirband-i-Turkestan, through which the Murghab flows
Jelalabad, from Piper's Hill

[Illustration: MAP Showing the Advances of RUSSIA towards INDIA 1734-1884.]

AFGHANISTAN AND THE ANGLO-RUSSIAN DISPUTE

I.
THROUGH THE GATES OF ASIA.
In universal history there is no more interesting subject for the consideration of the political student than the record of Russian progress through Central Asia.
In one sense this advance is a practical reestablishment or extension of the influence of the Aryan race in countries long dominated by peoples of Turki or Mongolian origin; in another sense it has resulted in a transition from the barbarism or rude forms of Asiatic life to the enlightenment and higher moral development of a European age. In a religious sense it embodies a crusade against Oriental fanaticism; and it is a curious feature of the Anglo-Russian dispute, that upon a question of temporal gain, the greatest Christian nation finds itself allied with the followers of Buddha and Mahomet against Russia under the Banner of the Cross.
The descendants of the great Peter have opened up in Central Asia a new region which, if as yet it has not been "made to blossom as the rose," has nevertheless profited by the introduction of law, order, and a certain amount of industrial prosperity.
Russia commenced her relations with Central Asia as early as the sixteenth century. Not only through embassies sent, but by military expeditions; these, however, at that time were private ventures by roving Cossacks and other inhabitants of Southern Russia. Authorized government expeditions commenced with Peter the Great, who in 1716-17 sent two exploring parties into the Central Asian deserts-- Bekovitch to Khiva, and Likhareff to the Black Irtish. These expeditions were undertaken in search of gold, supposed to exist in those regions, but failed in their object; the detachment under Bekovitch being entirely destroyed after reaching Khiva. Peter next turned