4th Episode Test

In this edition of the history of Afghanistan, we discuss the first armed invasion of the British in the nineteenth century, its causes, and its consequences for both sides. In this invasion, which took place in the first half of the century, the British had three objectives: to gain access to Central Asia; to establish a single, but united, Afghan government in place of the numerous dominions that had been the result of civil wars; and to create a regional army in Afghanistan with which to surround Ranjit Singh's Punjab, which they had set their sights on, from both sides. The Afghans initially accepted Shah Shuja as the legitimate heir to the Ahmad Shahi empire, without being able to understand the depth of the colonial game, but as the nature of the Shah's puppetry became apparent, resistance to the British occupation increased, and in that time Shah Shuja lost his life and the British lost the prestige of their empire with a humiliating defeat. As a result of the First Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan was saved, but unfortunately, for the next 21 years, we were plunged into civil war over power. These wars, which were finally stopped by the new ruler - Amir Dost Muhammad Khan, flared up again after his death. During these three decades of struggle, Sindh, Kashmir, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan were essentially lost to the Afghans. With unwavering sacrifices, the Afghans succeeded in expelling the British from their country by force, but in return, to take revenge on our nation, they set fire to Jalalabad; plundered Ghazni; reduced Istalif to ashes; and most importantly, left the famous Charcheta Bazaar in Kabul as a symbol of the horrors of European colonialism carried out in the name of civilization.