Afghan Wars 1839-42 and 1878-80

Afghanistan and the
Anglo-Russian Dispute

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Title: Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK,
AFGHANISTAN AND THE ANGLO-RUSSIAN DISPUTE ***

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Online Distributed Proofreading Team

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