First published in 1990, and the
later edition of 2003 of this book is what I read. Richards was a RAF navigator
in the second world war. He developed an interest in military history and this
book of his is an account of the British Indian Army’s struggle against the
enemies on the frontier region. Richards tries to cover various important
events from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The various campaigns of the
British in fighting, defending and helping various Amirs of Afghanistan are
mentioned. Some of the rulers were supported by the British whereas other did
not get the same amount of attention. The first, second and third Afghan war
are also briefly discussed by the author. With that the significant
developments in between are also under discussion. The Chitral Campaign of 1895
is also highlighted as a separate chapter in this book.
Campaign against Faqir of Ipi in
1937, soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the turmoil within Afghanistan is
discussed by the author. The ferocity of the Ghilzais, murder of Burnes
brothers, war of succession between the Amirs and the role of fanatics in war
making is also debated by Richards.
The areas of Kabul, Kandahar
and Herat, Jalabad, Khyber and Waziristan are presented by the author as these
areas had major encounters with the British on the frontier during the great
game. Classification of tribals, their movements, habits and war making skills
are also included by the author in this account. At times the author also shows
the biases of the colonial forces when describing the local social environments
of the region under focus.
Overall this book is not a
comprehensive one yet, it provokes the reader into events and other accounts of
colonial officers who played pivotal role in the great game period and beyond.
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