Afghanistan and the Defence of Empire

At the height of the 'Great Game' in Central Asia, in the run up to World War I and the aftermath of the second Afghan War, the region of Afghanistan became particularly significant for both Great Britain and Russia. Afghanistan and the Defence of Empire explores the relationship between British and Afghan rulers, during the crucial period of the reign of Amir Habibullah Khan, as the British sought to safeguard their Indian Empire from the threat of Imperial Russia. With Russia's defeat at the hands of the Japanese in 1905 and the rise of Germany as a superpower, the need to end the rivalry took on the utmost importance: efforts which culminated in the singing of the Anglo-Russian Convention in 1907. As the history of Afghanistan becomes ever more crucial for the understanding of its present military and political situation, this book will be of vital interest for students of History, Central Asian Studies, Military History and International Relations.

ISBN 1848856105   Pages 344 ISBN13 9781848856103 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 558 Publisher I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd   Published in London Imprint Tauris Academic Studies   Series title International Library of Twentieth Century History Format Hardback   Height (mm) 216 Publication date 28 Feb 2011   Width (mm) 134 DEWEY 327.41058109041   Spine width (mm) 33 DEWEY edition DC22   Academic level General

'Anyone who is engaged in British empire studies needs to understand British India; with it, the fear of its loss; and with that, the centrality of the Great GameA". Christopher M. Wyatt's book powerfully explains the dynamics of that Game at a most crucial time in Imperial, and world, history. The tale is told with precision and clarity; it covers a vital moment in the life (and death) of the British and Russian empires; and it speaks to a moment that is still important today, as contemporary struggles in Afghanistan again have a global prominence, and are understood locally in the context of narratives about Afghan struggles. It is also important to have a volume that looks at the national/international politics of the country at a very important moment in world history, yet one that has been relatively little covered in the literature. It is particularly powerful on the various interests and interplays within the British Empire - and plays well to the importance of particular individuals in particular places, at particular times. The way that Wyatt draws the lessons of history for the contemporary struggles in Afghanistan should be required reading for all those working in that country.' - Stuart Croft, Professor of International Security, University of Warwick

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