CHAPTER I.

THE AFFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGNS.[326]

The Shah invades Affghanistan.--Sir John Keane advances on Candahar.--Reduction of Ghuznee.--Surrender of Dost Mahomed.-- Retreat of Monson.--Bailey’s surrender.

Twenty years elapsed--and so far as England was concerned, Europe continued tranquil. If the British sword did not rust, it rested quietly in the sheath--and the East ere long was destined to prove, that during that period of inactivity, its temper had remained unaltered.

Throughout this work European politics have been carefully eschewed-- and the complications, falsity, and foul character of Eastern diplomacy, would be irrelevant, and disgust but not interest. In 1836, the aggressive acts of Persia, influenced by Russian gold, were sufficiently alarming, but all doubt was removed, when the Shah invaded Affghanistan, and laid siege to Herat. Although that city held strongly out, and finally repulsed the Persians, the country generally was anxious for their alliance,[327] and to check an influence that might prove truly dangerous hereafter, the Indian government decided on an armed intervention, and the restoration of Shah Shoojah was made the apology for a hostile demonstration.

The entrance of an invading army into Affghanistan was heralded by the Simla declaration,[328] and a strong force, termed “the army of the Indus,” in due time penetrated this mountain country by the route of the Bolan Pass.[329]

The occupation of Affghanistan was disastrous from the first. The troops were severely harassed and half-starved--and the blunders of the political agents, want of cordiality in the commanders, dissension between the contingents of Bengal and Bombay, all gave little promise of ultimate success. Early in April, Sir John Keane joined and took the chief command, and on the 7th he advanced on Candahar. The march was extremely oppressive. Intense heat, want of water, desultory attacks, all made the movement a distressing one, but Candahar was at last reached, and Shah Shoojah restored to the Musnad.

Sir John’s next operation was the reduction of Ghuznee,[330] and it would appear rather unaccountable that with this strong fortress before him, he should have left his siege-train at Candahar.

Sir John, however, seemed to hold Peninsular practice in fortunate recollection, for he repeated at Ghuznee,[331] what Brochard, a French engineer, had tried so successfully at Amarante,[332] blew down a barricade, and carried the place by storm. Khelat[333] was subsequently taken by assault, and the army of the Indus soon after broken up,--the Bombay contingent retiring to cantonments, and the Bengal retaining military occupation of Cabool.

Dost Mahomed, who had escaped, immediately appeared in arms, and the tribes between the Oxus and Hindoo Koosh broke out into open insurrection. Dennie defeated the Affghan chief in front of Bameean, and Sale took Tootundurrah, Jugla, and Rahderrah. With exhausted resources, the Dost found that to continue a contest would be hopeless,--and on the 3rd of November, he surrendered to the envoy, the unfortunate Sir William MacNaughten.[334]

The next epoch in Indian history is painfully unfortunate, and the military occupation of Affghanistan forms a fearful pendant to Monson’s retreat[335] and Bailey’s surrender. The resistance of Bailey was most glorious,[336] but the retreats from Hindustan and Cabool were consequences of indecision and want of daring. By the latter many a commander has been saved, even though that daring should have bordered upon rashness. In Monson’s affair, Holkar might have been arrested on the Chumbul,--and bold measures, promptly carried out, have proved successful in Affghanistan; but Monson retreated when he should have held his ground, and Burnes and MacNaughten temporized when they should have acted. A brief notice will best sum up the disastrous finale of the Affghanistan invasion. Burnes, in false security, was murdered-- and MacNaughten placed himself in the power of a treacherous ruffian, and paid the penalty of his folly with his life. The rest is a tale of perfidy, disgrace, and slaughter.

But yet gloomy as that miserable history is, brilliant scintillations of British heroism were not wanting. The forcing of the mountain passes was most creditable to Dennie, as the defence of Jellalabad was to Sale. Both since have filled a soldier’s grave--and braver spirits never breathed their last upon a battle-field.