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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 Shujah] to the throne the British assembled an invading army. 21,000 troops under [[John Keane|Sir John Keane]] entered Afghanistan via [[Quetta]] occupying [[Kandahar]] and [[Kabul]]. The ruling Amir [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammad_Khan Dost Mohammad Khan] was defeated and exiled to India. Shah Shujah was installed but it became clear that he did not have popular support and he was subsequently murdered.
In January 1842 there was a general uprising in Kabul and the invaders were besieged in the military cantonment. With only a few days supplies left, the Britsh were forced to agree terms dictated by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar_Khan Mohammad Akbar Khan] the son of Dost Mohammad.This led to the disastrous retreat to [[Gundamak]] and the Siege of [[Jalalabad]]. A second invasion by the Army of Retribution was launched under [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pollock Maj-Gen George Pollock]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Nott [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.
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