Lord Auckland (1836-42)

Lord Auckland took over at a time when Afghanistan had assumed great strategic importance for British India due to the increasing hold of Russians in that country. Lord Auckland, therefore, tried to oust Dost Mohammed, the ruler of Kabul for his friendly terms with the Russians by forging an alliance with RanjitSingh and Shah Shujia, the grandson of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who was then under British protection In India.

Invasion of Kabul: Kabul was captured by British forces in 1840 and Shah Shuja, the stooge of the British made ruler of Kabul. Dost Mohammed was imprisoned at Calcutta. In November 1841 people of Kabul revolted against the British and the British forces were forced to evacuate.