The Afghan War of Succession (1863-1869)
By Dharm Pal
Summary
Following the death of Amīr Dost Muḥammad Khān in 1863, Afghanistan plunged into a multi‑sided struggle known as the war of succession. This article narrates the first phase of that conflict, covering events from 1863 to 1866. The author begins by describing the distribution of power among the late emir’s sons. Sher ‘Alī Khān, originally chosen as successor, faced opposition from his elder half‑brothers Moḥammad Afżal Khān and Moḥammad A‘zam Khān, who controlled the northern provinces. Regional tribal leaders, dissatisfied with Sher ‘Alī’s attempts at centralisation, rallied to the rebel princes. The article traces the siege of Qandahar, the fall of Kabul, and the shifting loyalties of tribal confederations such as the Ghilzais and Durranis. British and Russian observers watched closely but refrained from open intervention, though arms and money flowed clandestinely to different claimants. The narrative is built from Afghan chronicles, British diplomatic reports and the memoirs of contemporary travellers. It highlights the role of charismatic commanders like ‘Abd al‑Raḥmān Khān and the impact of logistical factors, including control of mountain passes and the timing of winter campaigns. After Sher ‘Alī was forced to flee in 1866, the rivalry between Afżal and A‘zam intensified, eventually paving the way for Sher ‘Alī’s return. Throughout, the article emphasises the interplay of personal ambition, tribal politics and imperial intrigue. It also notes the suffering inflicted on ordinary Afghans as armies plundered crops and extracted levies. The study ends in 1869 with the re‑enthronement of Sher ‘Alī, promising a second instalment that will examine the subsequent power struggles and their long‑term consequences for Afghan state formation.
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Conclusion
The Afghan war of succession illustrates how fragile political authority could be in a society where dynastic legitimacy, tribal loyalty and foreign pressure intersected. Although the conflict began as a family quarrel, it quickly drew in competing networks of support and degenerated into a protracted civil war. By reconstructing these events from multiple sources, the article deepens our understanding of why Afghanistan remained resistant to stable centralised rule in the nineteenth century. It also reminds readers that the seeds of later turbulence were sown long before the Great Game reached its height.