Q17 (CDS-II/2022) History & Culture › Modern India (Pre-1857) › British annexation policies Answer Verified

The British policy towards Afghanistan in the first half of the 19th century aimed at

Strengthening Afghanistan as a buffer against Russia.

Weakening Russian influence in Afghanistan but not promoting a strong Afghanistan either.

Promoting Russian influence in Afghanistan to control insurgent tribal leaders.

Annexing Afghanistan as a directly-controlled British Territory.

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: B

Explanation

During the first half of the 19th century, British policy towards Afghanistan was driven by the "Great Game"—the strategic rivalry between the British and Russian Empires over Central Asia. The primary British objective was to secure the northwestern frontiers of India against potential Russian expansion.

However, the British did not desire a genuinely strong, united, and independent Afghanistan. A powerful neighbor could pursue an independent foreign policy or pose a direct military threat to British India. Instead, their strategy aimed at weakening Russian influence while keeping Afghanistan relatively weak, divided, and dependent on British support. This is best illustrated by the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842), where the British sought to replace the independent-minded ruler Dost Mohammad with a compliant, pro-British puppet, Shah Shuja. Therefore, the goal was to maintain a subservient buffer state rather than a powerful one.

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The British policy towards Afghanistan in the first half of the 19th century aimed at

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