MAJOR GEORGE BROOKE, 1st BRIGADE BENGAL 
HORSE ARTILLERY-1838. 
BY 
MAJOR-GENERAL F. W. STUBBS, late R.A. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The invasion of: Afghanistan, with the view of placing Shah Shuja on 
the throne he had so often tried, but in vain, to recover, was the most 
insane idea that had ever emanated from the mind of a sober English 
statesman. Lord Auckland, a Whig of moderate views, not brilliant 
in ability, but conscientious, was the last man his friends would have 
thought likely, needlessly, to resort to the last argument. His council 
were unwilling participators in the manifesto of the 1st October, 1838: 
the Court of Directors at home were strongly opposed to the war. 
Whence then did it spring ? 
The Russian empire had been then, as it is now, extending itself in 
a way that excited the fears of British statesmen. By the treaty of 
Turko-Manchai, in February 1828, Russia secured the whole of the 
Caspian Sea and bound Persia to the will of the Tsar. When Muhamad 
Mirza became, in 1834, Shah of Persia, there seemed little chance that 
British influence would avail anythiug at Teheran. 
Herat had always been a part of the Afghan kingdom under the late 
dynasty of Ahmad Skalds descendants. After Shah Shuja had been 
driven from the throne of Kabul it remained under his brother 
Mahmud, and on his death, in 1829, under Kamran, Mahmud’s son. 
Their Prime Minister, Yar Muhamad, perhaps the best known name in 
the history of Herat, excelled all the chiefs in Central Asia in cruelty 
and perfidy. 
Kandahar likewise was independent of Dost Muhamad, now the 
Amir of Afghanistan. It was held by his half brothers, Kohan Dii, 
Slier Dil and Pur Dil Khans. 
Both Herat and Kandahar are places of great strategic importance 
as far as India and Russia are concerned. 
When Muhamad Shah, King of Persia, in November 1837, moved 
down to besiege Herat it was felt to be a distinct menace to the security 
of our frontier, in which the hand of Russia could plainly be seen. The 
Cabinet of Great Britain wrote urgent despatches to the Governor- 
General of India recommending him to adopt measures of defence, and 
it was plain that something ought to be done. 
Lord Auckland had in the previous year sent Captain Burnes on a 
10. VOL. xx. 66 
