Key Facts
- Year of campaign
- 1842
- Armies deployed
- Two British-East India Company armies
- Advance routes
- Via Khyber Pass from Kandahar and Jalalabad
- Trigger event
- Annihilation of British-Indian column, January 1842
- Outcome action
- Kabul partially demolished before British withdrawal
Strategic Narrative Overview
The British and East India Company forces advanced on Kabul along two axes in mid-1842, defeating Afghan opposition twice in open battle. The converging columns overcame resistance along the passes and approaches to the capital, allowing the army to enter Kabul. British troops recovered prisoners taken during the January retreat, a primary objective of the campaign, and demonstrated sufficient military superiority to operate freely in the Afghan capital.
01 / The Origins
In January 1842, an entire British-Indian military and civilian column was annihilated during a catastrophic retreat from Kabul during the First Anglo-Afghan War. The disaster shocked British India and compelled the Governor-General to authorise a punitive expedition. Two armies were assembled to force through the Khyber Pass and converge on Kabul from Kandahar and Jalalabad, with the twin aims of rescuing prisoners and restoring British prestige.
03 / The Outcome
After recovering the prisoners and defeating Afghan forces, the British demolished portions of Kabul's bazaar as a punitive measure before withdrawing completely to India. The expedition did not result in renewed British occupation of Afghanistan. Its conclusion formally ended the First Anglo-Afghan War, with Britain relinquishing control of Afghanistan and restoring Dost Mohammad Khan, who had been deposed, to power.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.