Afghan Wars

General Roberts' British victory over the Ayoub Khan in September 1880, at the relief of Kandahar in Afghanistan. Following a 23-day march from Kabul to Kandahar, Roberts' forces decisively defeated the Afghan army, ending the Second Afghan War of 1878-80.

Three wars waged between Britain and Afghanistan to counter the threat to British India from expanding Russian influence in Afghanistan.

First Afghan War (1838-42): the British invaded Afghanistan to protect their own interests after Persia, encouraged by Russia, became involved in the region. Although successful at first, a later Afghan rising drove them out of Afghanistan, and of the 4,000 British who formed the garrison of Kabul only one arrived safely at Jalalabad. Another British expedition was dispatched, which captured Kabul, released British prisoners there, and then evacuated the country.

Second Afghan War (1878-80): General Roberts captured Kabul in 1789 and relieved Kandahar.

Third Afghan War (1919): peace followed the dispatch by the UK of the first aeroplane ever seen in Kabul.