The Anglo-Afghan Wars reflected Britain’s efforts to secure India’s northwestern frontier against Russian influence, shaping Afghanistan’s role as a strategic buffer state in South Asia.

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• The Anglo-Afghan Wars were fought between Britain and Afghanistan during the 19th and early 20th centuries to counter growing Russian influence in Central Asia.
• Lord Auckland introduced the “Forward Policy” to establish a pro-British government in Afghanistan and secure India’s northwest frontier.
• The Tripartite Treaty of 1838 was signed between the British East India Company, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Shah Shuja to restore Shah Shuja to the Afghan throne.
• The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842) ended in a major British defeat after Afghan uprisings forced British troops to retreat from Kabul.
• The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) resulted in the Treaty of Gandamak, which gave Britain control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.
• Lord John Lawrence later adopted a policy of strategic non-intervention, while Lord Lytton followed a more assertive frontier policy against Russian expansion.
• The Durand Line Agreement of 1893 established the border between British India and Afghanistan, influencing regional geopolitics even today.
• The Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919) ended with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, granting Afghanistan full control over its foreign policy and independence from British influence.