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In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of the following is correct about Lord Auckland‟s Forward Policy?
  • a)
    He wanted England and Russia to become friends against China.
  • b)
    He wanted to create Afghanistan a British friendly buffer State to counter Russian expansionism in the Central Asia.
  • c)
    He advocated for non-interference in the internal matters of Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.
  • d)
    He followed a combative approach for Tibet to counter Russia‟s rising influence in the reason. 
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of...
Lord Auckland's Forward Policy and its relevance in international affairs of British India

Lord Auckland was the Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842. During his tenure, he adopted a policy of aggression towards Afghanistan and the adjoining territories, which came to be known as the Forward Policy. It aimed at creating a British-friendly buffer state in Afghanistan to counter Russian expansionism in Central Asia. The policy was driven by the fear of Russian advances towards India, which led to the Great Game between Britain and Russia for supremacy in the region.

The key features of Lord Auckland's Forward Policy are:

1. British intervention in Afghanistan

Lord Auckland believed that a weak and divided Afghanistan would be a threat to British India's security. So, he decided to depose the Afghan ruler, Dost Mohammad Khan, and replace him with a more pliable puppet ruler. In 1839, the British army invaded Afghanistan, defeated Dost Mohammad Khan, and installed Shah Shuja as the new ruler. However, the policy backfired, and the British suffered a humiliating defeat in the First Anglo-Afghan War.

2. Creating a buffer state

Lord Auckland wanted to create a buffer state between British India and Russian Central Asia. He believed that by establishing a friendly regime in Afghanistan, the British could prevent Russian expansionism and protect their interests in the region. However, the policy failed to achieve its objective, and Afghanistan became a source of constant strife and instability.

3. Combative approach towards Tibet

Lord Auckland also adopted a combative approach towards Tibet, which was seen as a potential ally of Russia. He sent a military expedition to Tibet in 1840, but it was a failure. The policy of aggression towards Tibet was abandoned after Lord Auckland left India.

Conclusion

Lord Auckland's Forward Policy was a significant development in the international affairs of British India. It was driven by the fear of Russian expansionism and aimed at creating a buffer state in Afghanistan to counter it. However, the policy was flawed, and it led to military defeats and increased instability in the region. Nevertheless, the policy set the stage for the Great Game and the subsequent British-Russian rivalry in Central Asia.
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In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of...
At the time Auckland came to India as Governor-General in 1836, there were alarming reports from Teheran about Russian advances. Russian ambition in Central Asia dates from the acquisition of Georgia in 1801. The Russo-Persian wars of 1811-13 and 1826-28 greatly humbled Persia and she was compelled to surrender important territories round the Caspian Sea to Russia besides being forbidden to keep armed vessels in that sea. Russian influence replaced British influence in Persia and thwarted an English scheme for the establishment of a new route by the Euphrates river to India.  The increased Russian influence in Persia after the Treaty of Turkmanchai (1828) alarmed English mind about possible Russian design on India. There was a search for a 'scientific frontier'. The passes of the north-west seemed to hold the keys to the gateway of India. It was felt that Afghanistan should be under the control of a friendly prince. The politicians of the day felt that the fall of Herat meant, for both political and geographical reasons, the removal of the last barrier on any possible march to India.
Both Lord Palmerston, British Foreign Secretary, and Auckland advocated a Forward Policy and thought in terms of bringing Afghanistan within their political ambit and signed a Tripartite treaty(June 1938) with Shah Suja and Ranjit Singh. The treaty provided that Shah Shuja would be reinstated on the throne of Kabul with the armed assistance of the Sikhs. The Company was to remain in the background jingling the money bag'. In return Shah Shuja bound himself to conduct his foreign relations with the advice of the English and the Sikhs; he further recognised the Maharaja's claims over the afghan territories on the right bank of the Indus and also gave up his sovereign rights over the Amirs of Sind in return for a large sum of money. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
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In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of the following is correct about Lord Aucklands Forward Policy?a)He wanted England and Russia to become friends against China.b)He wanted to create Afghanistan a British friendly buffer State to counter Russian expansionism in the Central Asia.c)He advocated for non-interference in the internal matters of Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.d)He followed a combative approach for Tibet to counter Russias rising influence in the reason.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of the following is correct about Lord Aucklands Forward Policy?a)He wanted England and Russia to become friends against China.b)He wanted to create Afghanistan a British friendly buffer State to counter Russian expansionism in the Central Asia.c)He advocated for non-interference in the internal matters of Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.d)He followed a combative approach for Tibet to counter Russias rising influence in the reason.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of the following is correct about Lord Aucklands Forward Policy?a)He wanted England and Russia to become friends against China.b)He wanted to create Afghanistan a British friendly buffer State to counter Russian expansionism in the Central Asia.c)He advocated for non-interference in the internal matters of Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.d)He followed a combative approach for Tibet to counter Russias rising influence in the reason.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In the context of international affairs of British India, which one of the following is correct about Lord Aucklands Forward Policy?a)He wanted England and Russia to become friends against China.b)He wanted to create Afghanistan a British friendly buffer State to counter Russian expansionism in the Central Asia.c)He advocated for non-interference in the internal matters of Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.d)He followed a combative approach for Tibet to counter Russias rising influence in the reason.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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