The Gurkhas have a complex history with Afghanistan spanning two centuries, from colonial expeditions to combating modern-day insurgencies
When Gurkhas were deployed to Afghanistan in late-2001 alongside coalition forces, they walked in the footsteps of their forebears. Generations of Nepalese had fought and bled on that same soil over two centuries and would continue to in the subsequent years.
Back in the early 1800s, when British-Gurkha relations were in their infancy, Afghanistan had been treated as a buffer zone between the Empire and that of expansionist Imperial Russia. Wishing to protect their Indian colony at all costs, by the late-1830s the British had attempted to create an Afghan client state, only to grow distrustful of the influential ruler Dost Mohammed Khan. In response, the governorgeneral of India, Lord Auckland, assembled an army to restore the formerly deposed pro-British leader, Shah Shuja. The attacking force, with its contingent of Gurkhas, encountered stiff resistance en route. Never theless, by August 1839 it had successfully marched on Kabul then installed the British-backed ruler. The victory was, however, short-lived as it wasn’t long until the Afghans turned on Shah Shuja and the situation throughout much of the country deteriorated. Ultimately, after a series of blunders, the British withdrew from Kabul in 1842, with only Assistant Surgeon William Brydon surviving the army’s retreat. A new army reclaimed the city within the year.
Gurkhas played a more active role in the Second Anglo-Afghan War from 1878 to 1880, a conflict started with the same motivations of exerting control over Afghanistan’s leadership to compete with Russian interests. 5th Gurkhas, joined by the 72nd Highlanders, distinguished themselves in a flanking assault against Afghan defences amid the December 1878 Battle of Peiwar Kotal. Such was their success that a similar flanking manoeuvre, again spearheaded by the Nepalese and highlanders, was implemented the following year at the October 1879 Battle of Charasiab. In a repeat of history, the British had by then achieved their objective of extending their influence only for that control to be eroded with time. Gurkhas were heavily involved in the ensuing engagements, notably at the Battles of Ahmed Khel and Kandahar – all the while strengthening the bond between British and Nepalese service personnel.
In 1919, still recovering from the Great War – although having recently par ticipated under orders in the Amritsar Massacre against Indian protesters – Gurkhas were once more thrust into Afghanistan in the Third Anglo-Afgh
