Were the Afghan wars able to fulfill the objectives of the British?

The Afghan Wars, fought by the British in the 19th century, had mixed outcomes in terms of fulfilling their objectives. There were two significant Anglo-Afghan Wars during this period: the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842) and the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880).

First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842):
The primary objective of the First Anglo-Afghan War was to install a pro-British ruler in Afghanistan and counter perceived Russian influence in the region. The British intervention led to the occupation of Kabul and the installation of Shah Shuja as the ruler. However, the British forces faced strong local resistance, and the occupation turned into a disaster known as the "Massacre of Elphinstone's Army" during their retreat from Kabul in 1842. The war resulted in a significant loss for the British, and Shah Shuja's rule proved unsustainable.

Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880):
The Second Anglo-Afghan War had multiple objectives, including preventing Russian influence, maintaining a buffer state, and ensuring a friendly government in Afghanistan. The British aimed to depose Sher Ali Khan, who was perceived as leaning towards Russia. The war initially went in favor of the British, and they installed Abdur Rahman Khan as the Amir. However, the cost of maintaining a friendly government strained British resources.

Mixed Outcomes:

1. Political Objectives: The British struggled to establish a stable and pro-British government in Afghanistan during both wars. The local resistance and complex tribal dynamics made it challenging to control and influence Afghan politics effectively.

2. Buffer State: While the British aimed to maintain Afghanistan as a buffer state, the cost and challenges of controlling the region, combined with the changing geopolitical dynamics, made this objective difficult to achieve consistently.

3. Russian Influence: The British sought to counter perceived Russian influence in the region. While they did manage to prevent direct Russian control, Afghanistan remained a fiercely independent state, and the influence of external powers persisted.

In summary, the British had difficulty fully implementing the "rule of law" and achieving their geopolitical objectives in Afghanistan during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The mountainous terrain, tribal resistance, and the resilience of Afghan rulers contributed to the challenges faced by the British. While the wars had some short-term successes, the long-term stability and control desired by the British were elusive, making the outcomes of the Afghan Wars complex and often inconclusive.