Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute

This work surveys Russia's advance through Central Asia and the strategic contest with Britain over access to the Indian subcontinent. It describes Afghanistan's terrain, population centers, and the mountain passes and routes that determine military movement and supply. The author compiles reports and observations from Russian, German, and British officers and travelers and supplements them with maps and illustrations to clarify lines of approach. Comparative chapters assess British and Russian forces, logistics, and possible modes of attack, closing with a concise military appraisal of the regional balance and the strategic options available to the powers involved.