British Imperialism and Afghanistan’s Struggle for Independence 1914-21

Afghanistan’s geographical position as the gateway to India has destined it to be a bone of contention for Asian and European powers having covetous designs on India. History is a witness to the fact that it has thwarted all attempts at subordination and fulfilled its geographical role admirably. Dr. Arghandawi has taken up a short interlude, between 1914 and 1921 to demonstrate this in this book, when Afghanistan was hemmed in by two mighty powers, Britain and Russia and had to withstand severe pressure from Russia and Turkey because of the war in Europe. Simultaneously it was providing refuge to the Indian freedom fighters, who had sought asylum, without antagonizing the British. After the war, the British intransigence led to Third Afghan War resulting in Afghanistan’s independence. The Afghans could succeed in this apparently impossible struggle because of their political and cultural tradition. The author has devoted considerable portions of the book to illumine this aspect. Four appendices and a map are additional features of the book.