Governor-General Lytton's 'Forward' Policy towards Afghanistan

Background:

During the British rule in India, there was a constant threat to the British Empire from the Russian Empire. The British believed that the Russians were trying to expand their influence in Central Asia, which was regarded as a buffer zone between the two empires.

Governor-General Lytton's 'Forward' Policy:

Lord Lytton, who was the Governor-General of India from 1876 to 1880, believed that the British should pursue an aggressive policy towards Afghanistan in order to counter the perceived Russian threat.

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton was based on the following principles:

1. British expansionism: The policy aimed to expand the British Empire in Central Asia by establishing a friendly government in Afghanistan.

2. Military intervention: The British believed that they had to intervene militarily in Afghanistan in order to maintain their control over the region.

3. Diplomacy: The policy also involved diplomatic efforts to establish friendly relations with Afghanistan and to isolate Russia in Central Asia.

4. Puppet government: The British installed a puppet government in Afghanistan under the leadership of Shere Ali Khan, who was sympathetic to British interests.

5. Invasion of Afghanistan: In 1878, the British invaded Afghanistan with the aim of deposing Shere Ali Khan and installing a more pro-British government.

6. Second Anglo-Afghan War: The invasion led to the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which lasted from 1878 to 1880. The British were initially successful in their military campaign, but they faced strong resistance from the Afghan people and suffered heavy casualties.

Outcome:

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton was a failure. Although the British were able to install a more pro-British government in Afghanistan, they were not able to maintain their control over the region. The Afghan people resisted British rule, and the British were forced to withdraw from Afghanistan in 1881.

Conclusion:

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton towards Afghanistan was a misguided attempt to counter the perceived Russian threat in Central Asia. The policy was based on the outdated notion of British expansionism and failed to take into account the aspirations of the Afghan people for independence.