The First Anglo-Afghan War lasted from 1839 to 1842.

Fearing increasing Russian influence in Afghanistan, the British resolved to depose Dost Muhammad and restore former ruler Shah Shuja.

In the opening campaign in 1839 the British captured Kandahar, Ghazni and Kabul, and captured Dost Muhammad, sending him to India. Having restored Shuja to the throne, the British withdrew, leaving two envoys and a garrison in Kabul.

In 1841 the Afghans rose against the British in Kabul, killing both the British agents and surrounding the garrison. In early 1842 the garrison surrendered, and was offered safe conduct to return to India. However, the British force was ambushed in the Khyber Pass and massacred.

In retaliation, the British reinvaded, relieving the besieged British garrison in Jalalabad, and then pushed on to Kabul. Ninety-five prisoners from the earlier massacre were rescued, and the British destroyed the citadel and central bazaar of Kabul. However, as Shah Shuja had been assassinated by this point, the British decided it was unprofitable to occupy the country and withdrew.

See also

• European influence in Afghanistan
• British military history