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Afghan War: writing out the treaty of peace, 1879
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Afghan War: writing out the treaty of peace, 1879
The Afghan War: writing out the treaty of peace at Gundamuk, 1879
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Media ID 23420374
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1879 Afghan Afghanistan Afghans Anglo Anglo Afghan Feb21 Peace Pierre Treaty Cavagnari Gandamak Gundamuk
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a pivotal moment in the Anglo-Afghan War of 1878-1879, as British and Afghan leaders gathered at Gundamuk (also known as Gandamak) to sign the Treaty of Peace on February 26, 1879. The treaty was a result of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which began when British forces invaded Afghanistan with the intention of securing a stable border and improving communications between British India and Russia. At the center of the image, Pierrepont Joseph Edward Bruce Cavagnari, the British envoy to Afghanistan, sits at a makeshift table, surrounded by Afghan leaders and interpreters. Cavagnari, dressed in full military regalia, is intently focused on the document before him, while his Afghan counterparts appear more relaxed, some even smoking pipes. The treaty, which was intended to bring an end to the conflict, ultimately proved to be a disaster for the British, as it led to the infamous massacre of British and Indian soldiers at the retreat from Kabul later that year. The photograph offers a glimpse into the complex political dynamics of the region during the late 19th century, as well as the challenges faced by British imperial powers in attempting to assert control over distant lands. The image also underscores the importance of diplomacy and communication in resolving conflicts, even as military force remained a preferred option for many colonial powers.
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