The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, October 1879

In this compelling piece from a late‑Victorian review, the author turns a critical eye toward the tangled politics of British India and Afghanistan in the 1870s. He recounts the shocking news of Major Cavagnari’s death and the furor it sparked in the British press, using the incident as a springboard to question the motives behind the conflict. The narrative lays out the diplomatic dance between Lord Lytton, the Afghan ameer, and the shadow of Russian intrigue, showing how misunderstandings and deliberate provocations set the stage for war.

What follows is a measured critique of imperial hubris, arguing that the British government manufactured a pretext for invasion while the Afghan ruler sought only peaceful relations. By weaving together parliamentary reports, newspaper excerpts, and personal observations, the essay paints a vivid picture of a clash between ambition and principle. Listeners will gain insight into how a series of diplomatic missteps escalated into a conflict that would shape the region’s future, all presented in the clear, analytical style of the period.