Afghan Warrior 1900

In 1826 Dost Mohammed Khan gained control of Kabul. Throughout the 19th century, the clash between the expanding British and Russian empires in what was called the Great Game significantly affected Afghanistan. British concerns about the Russian advance into Central Asia and the growing influence of the Tsarist empire on Persia culminated in two Anglo-Afghan wars. The first (1839-1842) ended with the destruction of an entire British army; it is therefore remembered as an example of the ferocity of armed resistance against any foreign ruler. The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) was triggered by the refusal of the Emir Shir Ali to accept the sending of a British mission to Kabul. This conflict brought Emir Abdur Rahman Khan to the Afghan throne.