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In the face of a perceived threat of expansion of the Russian Empire, Britain sought to secure the northwestern borders of British India by establishing [[Afghanistan]] as an ally and buffer. The Governor-General of India, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eden,_1st_Earl_of_Auckland Lord Auckland], knew little of the politics of India or Afghanistan. Despite advice from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Burnes Alexander Burnes] in [[Kabul]] to support [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_Mohammed Amir Dost Mohammed], he was persuaded by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_MacnaghtenWilliam Macnaghten] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Martin_Wade Claude Wade] to that regime change was necessary. Under the pretext of restoring the former ruler [[Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk|Shah Shuja]] 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 [[Dost Mohammed|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.