3. The British Invasion of Afghanistan (1839-1842)
The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842) began with the British invasion of Afghanistan, aiming to install Shah Shuja as a puppet ruler and counter Russian influence. Initial successes, including the capture of Kabul, were overshadowed by mismanagement and a lack of understanding of Afghan society. The situation rapidly deteriorated after the assassination of key British officials, which emboldened Afghan resistance led by Dost Mohammad’s son, Mohammad Akbar Khan. A disastrous retreat through the Khyber Pass resulted in the near annihilation of the British forces, with only a single survivor reaching safety. This conflict highlighted the complexities of Afghan politics and the challenges of foreign intervention (ebsco.com).
