British reach Kabul through the Bolan pass with their Army of Indus to remove Dost Mohammad and install Shah Shuja. They occupy Afghanistan but that's when the real fight begins. They fail to ensure their control over Afghanistan. The Army of Indus is destroyed and the British send their Army of Retribution to retake Kabul, only to re-install the ruler who ruled before the British intervention. Dost Mohammad is back on the throne of Afghanistan, with British backing.

How history rhymed again in 21st century Afghanistan.

The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) was fought as part of the Great Game rivalry between Britain and Russia over influence in Afghanistan. The British invaded Afghanistan with around 40,000 troops in three columns, capturing key locations like Kandahar, the Khyber Pass, and Kabul. Emir Sher Ali fled and died in exile, his son Yaqub Khan signed the Treaty of Gandamak, ceding control over Afghan foreign affairs to the British. However, after the British envoy was killed in Kabul, conflict resumed until British forces defeated Afghan forces led by Ayub Khan at the Battle of Kandahar in 1880, ending the war. Abdur Rahman Khan was installed as a British-backed emir, stabilizing the region as a buffer between Russian and British territories.

The Third Anglo-Afghan War occurred in 1919 when Afghan forces under Amanullah Khan sought to reclaim full independence. The brief conflict ended with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, whereby Britain recognized Afghanistan's independence and control over its foreign affairs, ending British influence. This war marked the end of direct British intervention in Afghan sovereignty.

East India Company defends Assam (ruled by Ahoms) from Burmese attacks and plants the seeds for incorporation of Burma to British ruled India in 19th century.

Subsequent wars further weakened Burmese sovereignty. The Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–1853) led to the British annexation of Lower Burma for its valuable resources. The Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885 resulted in the full annexation of Burma, which was formally incorporated as a part of British India by January 1886. The colonial administration ruled Burma as part of British India until 1937, after which Burma was made a separate colony. British rule lasted until Burma’s independence in 1948.

Ranjit Singh was a force in himself. He built the last Indian Empire that fell to the British East India Company.

A offered a secular or religiously liberal state where people from many faiths lived and served his empire.

The Peshwa makes a one last attempt to assert Maratha sovereignty. The Peshwa ultimately surrendered in June of 1818. But some of the Maratha leaders kept fighting till 1919. Ex. The fortress of Asirgarh was lost by Maratha commander Jeswant Rao Lar after a long siege and battle from East India Company in April 1819.

While Amir Khan had surrendered early on. the Pindari leader, Karim Khan, surrendered after some fights. Chitu Khan ran away into the forests and remained in hiding till he was killed by a tiger.

A funny thing to note: after Indian independence Cheetahs went extinct(1947-52) but the Tigers were saved with the Save the Tiger mission (Project Tiger, started in 1973)

In this episode we shall cover the Anglo Nepalese War

Sikhism, the rise of new monotheistic religion in India. Formation of Misls and how one Misldar Ranjit Singh builds the Sikh Empire

Hi

I am coming up with a new season in English with episodes covering Sikhism-Sikh Empire, Anglo-Nepalese War, Anglo Maratha War III, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Anglo Afghan Wars.

The writing on the wall was clear and the Syrian government fell. it now has a new government with Islamists of HTS in the helm. The new rulers claim to be more moderate than before but time alone shall tell how they govern and behave.

This(or the latest episode in the long series of violence in middle -east) all started on October 7, 2023 with the Hamas attack on Israel border communities close to Gaza. The next high point that captured the imagination of global news media was the blasting of pagers of Hezbollah operatives. But who had thought that the Syrian government that had survived the civil war of over 14 years would lead to the fall of the government this winter. This and more on this episode. Keep listening and do offer your feedback on [email protected]. Would appreciate a rating on Spotify

On October 7 Israel came under a surprise attack from Hamas & Co. Ever since there is a new long war that continues till this date.

When would the Palestinians get a state and when shall the Israelis get peace?

Meanwhile a new phase has begun in the ongoing yearlong War. The northern borders of Israel and the regions of southern Lebanon seem to be on the way to face for more this.

At UN, PM Netanyahu took a strong stance.

He referred to Hezbollah as “a terror army perched on our northern border.”

Israel has come a long way since its independence 77 years ago, but battles and wars in the long ongoing Middle-East conflict continues. But a lot has changed. Today, Israel faces a different nature of adversaries. The Palestinians meanwhile, seek a nation. Hezbollah remains the single greatest strong foe on Israel's borders. But who is behind it all, today? Many in Israel would say Iran. But its more complicated.

After today's attack on Hezbollah Headquarters in Dahiya, Beirut, its still not clear whether the Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is dead or alive.

Let's cover a few more pages from history and the present.

As of posting this episode, Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader has been assassinated in Tehran, Iran on July 31, 2024. So have some top Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon and some Hamas commanders in Gaza. Last night on August 12, 2024 Israel Defense Forces(The Tzahal) went on Peak Alertness with the expectation of an Iranian attack as Iran readied its missiles and drones. As of August 13, this morning 7:47 AM in Jerusalem, this attack has not taken place.

Putting into present context of our region of the subcontinent: What have been some recent major political developments in the Indian Subcontinent/South Asia:

1. Fall of Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government and the return of Taliban

2. Muizzu taking power in Maldives

3. Imran Khan being removed from power in Pakistan while Sharifs and Bhuttos(more like Zardaris) agreeing to share power under the overarching system of the military directorship(if not outright dictatorship, the military of Pak has learnt that its better to stay behind curtains and direct the throne). Let's not forget that it was Pak Military that had brought Imran Khan to power in the first place. The Pak Fauj giveth and the Pak Fauj taketh away

4. Sheikh Hasina leaving power amidst agitations/mob violence and Bangladesh Nationalist Party eyeing a return, with Bangladesh military support. The Bangladesh Military has definitely gained more political power than it was able to exercise in the last 14 years.

Stability of a state, its politics and the grasp on power of its rulers is NEVER GUARANTEED. There is constant struggle with internal elements and national threats.

All we can say is stability can be be very uncertain. Israel's sole goal in some ways has been to ensure a security architecture where its statehood does not come under serious threat. October 7 did not exactly threaten the statehood of Israel but it showed how easy it was to destroy the stability and order that Israel had created. After 1973 this was the single greatest event where Israel came under a surprise attack and over a 1400 Israelis died in 2 days. It was a shock to the body-mass of the state and society. And led to the current conflict in Gaza where Israel is trying to bring back the Israelis taken hostage and destroy Hamas as a military force. Many however disagree with extent of correctness of the earlier statement as Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, is in a tough spot and the events of October 7 showed that the security that he guaranteed had failed and the corruption charges are in cold freezer as long as he remains prime minister. Many of the hostage's families have also sought a change in the approach of the Israeli government

What are the key issues in the Israel-Palestine Conflict that render any significant peace move impossible without compromises?