Changes

{{Battlemap|war=Withdrawal from Afghanistan|link=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=101241150585833319689.00046beb6e217867696a0&z=7}}

The '''1st Afghan War''' 1839-42<br>

==Summary==

In the face of continued expansion of the Russian Empire, Britain sought to secure the northwestern borders of British India by establishing [[Afghanistan]] as an ally and buffer. Under the pretext of restoring the former ruler [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuja_Shah Shah Shuja] to the throne the British assembled an invading army. 21,000 troops under [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Keane_(British_soldier) Sir John Keane] entered Afghanistan via [[Quetta]] occupying [[Kandahar]] and [[Kabul]]. This led to the disastrous retreat to Gandamak and a second invasion by the Army of Retribution under [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pollock Maj-Gen George Pollock]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Nott General William Nott] advanced from Kandahar meeting Pollock and recapturing Kabul. After releasing British prisoners and destroying Kabul bazaar the British returned to India.

==Actions==

See [[:Category:1st Afghan War]] for an alphabetical list.

== Troop Strength ==