Map of the First Afghan War, 1839-1842

A detailed map of the eastern Afghanistan and the border with border of India, published to illustrate the later stages of the First Afghan War, 1839-1842.

In January 1842, having occupied Kabul since 1838, the British garrison was forced to retreat from the city and were massacred as they struggled towards Jalalabad through the Afghan winter. Nine British survivors were taken prisoner and only the surgeon, Dr. William Brydon, reached the British-held fortress at Jalalabad.

Plans were immediately drawn up for the retaking of Kabul, but a change in the British government meant that the plans were downgraded from full occupation of Afghanistan to reprisals. The month this map was published Generals William Nott and George Pollock led troops through the country, relieving all the besieged garrisons and taking Kabul. Once all the British prisoners were recovered (which included many wives and children of the British soldiers), the British evacuated Afghanistan completely.