The Battle of Herat, 1870: A Pivotal Moment in the Later Afghan War of Succession
The Battle of Herat, fought in 1870, was a significant event during the Later Afghan War of Succession, a tumultuous period in Afghanistan’s history. This battle pitted local factions, notably the Khan Brothers, against the forces of Ahmad Sher Ali, who sought to consolidate his power in Afghanistan. The conflict underscored the internal strife that plagued the Afghan political landscape in the 19th century and played a crucial role in shaping the subsequent course of the war.
Historical Context of the Later Afghan War of Succession
The Later Afghan War of Succession took place during the mid-19th century, a time when Afghanistan was fragmented and beset by infighting among various political factions. Following the death of Dost Mohammad Khan in 1863, the country was divided among his sons and their respective supporters. The succession dispute led to a series of violent conflicts, with various warlords and regional leaders vying for control over key territories. These conflicts were marked by shifting alliances, betrayals, and external interventions, particularly by the British and Russian empires, which were engaged in the so-called “Great Game” for influence in Central Asia.
Ahmad Sher Ali, a prominent military leader and a key figure in the succession disputes, emerged as a powerful contender for the throne. His ambitions for unifying Afghanistan brought him into conflict with other regional powers, most notably the Khan Brothers of Herat. The battle for control of Herat became one of the defining moments in this chaotic period of Afghan history.
The Battle of Herat: A Turning Point
The battle took place in the city of Herat, located in western Afghanistan, an area that was strategically important due to its proximity to Persia (modern-day Iran) and its role as a cultural and economic hub in the region. Herat had been a critical point of contention during the earlier phases of the Afghan War of Succession, with various factions vying for control over the city.
The Khan Brothers, who ruled Herat at the time, had long been a thorn in the side of Ahmad Sher Ali. Despite Ahmad Sher Ali’s ambitions to consolidate his authority over the entire Afghan territory, the Khan Brothers managed to maintain a degree of autonomy in Herat. The battle of 1870 was the culmination of tensions between these two factions.
The conflict itself was fierce, with both sides deploying large numbers of troops. However, despite Ahmad Sher Ali’s military prowess and the backing of significant Afghan forces, the Khan Brothers managed to secure a decisive victory. The precise details of the battle are somewhat murky due to the limited sources from the period, but it is clear that the Khan Brothers’ forces were able to repel Ahmad Sher Ali’s army, forcing him to retreat.
Key Participants
The primary participants in the battle were the Khan Brothers, who had successfully defended Herat against Ahmad Sher Ali’s forces. The Khan Brothers were prominent leaders in western Afghanistan and had their own power base, which they used to resist Sher Ali’s attempts to extend his control over the region. Their victory in the battle was a critical moment in maintaining the independence of Herat for a brief period during the later stages of the Afghan War of Succession.
Ahmad Sher Ali, on the other hand, was a military leader who played a pivotal role in the later phases of the Afghan War of Succession. Despite his defeat at Herat, he would go on to become the Amir of Afghanistan in 1869, consolidating power and initiating significant reforms in the military and governance. His eventual rise to power was partly due to his ability to secure alliances with external powers, including the British Empire, which was keen on maintaining stability in Afghanistan as a buffer state between its Indian colonies and Russian expansion.
Aftermath and Impact on the War
The Battle of Herat in 1870 marked a significant setback for Ahmad Sher Ali, but it did not end his ambitions for power. While the Khan Brothers were able to hold on to Herat for a time, the broader context of the Afghan War of Succession meant that their victory was ultimately short-lived. Ahmad Sher Ali would go on to regain power, eventually becoming the Amir of Afghanistan in 1869, after a series of campaigns and political maneuvers.
Herat’s strategic importance meant that control of the city would continue to be contested in the following years. The Khan Brothers’ victory did not secure lasting peace in the region, and the larger conflict between the various Afghan factions would continue to rage for years to come. Ahmad Sher Ali’s eventual consolidation of power and the subsequent centralization of the Afghan state were significant in shaping the modern political landscape of Afghanistan.
The Battle of Herat, however, was not just a localized conflict—it was part of the broader geopolitical struggle between the British and Russian empires, who had their own interests in the region. The British, who had been involved in Afghanistan since the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842), sought to maintain their influence in the region and prevent Russian encroachment. Ahmad Sher Ali, who had initially sought to align with the Russians, ultimately found himself balancing between these two imperial powers in his efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.
Legacy and Historical Significance
The Battle of Herat, while not as well-known as some of the other battles in Afghan history, holds significant historical importance. It was a microcosm of the larger struggles within Afghanistan during the 19th century and highlighted the complex political and military landscape of the time. The internal conflicts, shifting alliances, and external pressures faced by Afghan leaders like Ahmad Sher Ali were defining features of the era.
The Khan Brothers’ victory demonstrated the resilience of regional powers in Afghanistan and their ability to resist central authority. However, it also underscored the fragile nature of political alliances in Afghanistan, where loyalties could shift rapidly and where no single faction could claim lasting control over the country. This instability would continue to characterize Afghan politics for much of the 19th and 20th centuries.
In the broader context of the Later Afghan War of Succession, the battle at Herat was one of many significant moments that shaped the course of Afghanistan’s history. Ahmad Sher Ali’s eventual rise to power marked the beginning of a new phase in Afghan history, one that saw increased centralization, military reform, and growing interactions with foreign powers.
Conclusion
The Battle of Herat in 1870 stands as a testament to the complex and often volatile political and military dynamics of 19th-century Afghanistan. The Khan Brothers’ victory against Ahmad Sher Ali highlighted the challenges faced by Afghan leaders in their attempts to consolidate power amid internal divisions and external pressures. While the victory was short-lived, it remains an important chapter in the story of Afghanistan’s long and turbulent history. The battle not only shaped the outcome of the Later Afghan War of Succession but also had lasting implications for the future of Afghanistan as a unified state.