Ended the first phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, transferring Afghan foreign affairs to British control and reshaping the region's political boundaries.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 26 May 1879
- Date ratified
- 30 May 1879
- Distance from Kabul
- 70 miles (110 km) east of Kabul
- Afghan signatory
- King Mohammad Yaqub Khan
- British signatory
- Sir Louis Cavagnari
- Ratified by
- Lord Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, Viceroy of India
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Second Anglo-Afghan War began as Britain sought to counter Russian influence in Afghanistan and establish control over Afghan foreign policy. Military conflict brought Afghan Emir Mohammad Yaqub Khan to the negotiating table, compelling him to reach a settlement with the British Government of India after the first phase of hostilities.
On 26 May 1879, Mohammad Yaqub Khan and Sir Louis Cavagnari signed the Treaty of Gandamak at a British army camp near the village of Gandamak. The agreement ceded several frontier territories to the British Raj and transferred full control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs to Britain, while Afghanistan retained nominal internal sovereignty.
The treaty is widely regarded as a prelude to the second phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which erupted in 1879–1880. Following the British victory at the Battle of Kandahar in 1880, the treaty was reaffirmed and Abdur Rahman was installed as Emir. Despite being a British appointee, Abdur Rahman repeatedly challenged British authority and secured greater concessions over time.
Political Outcome
Afghanistan ceded frontier territories and control of its foreign affairs to the British Raj; the treaty ended the first phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
Afghanistan maintained independent control over its foreign affairs and frontier territories.
Britain assumed control of Afghan foreign policy; frontier areas were ceded to the British Raj.