World History
The Siege of Herat - Thesis by John Carl Nelson discussing the political situation in early 19th century Afghanistan and Mohammed Shah Kajars siege of Herat 1837-1838. It includes old maps and a bibliography.
From the site:
Mohammed Shah Kajar, ruler of Persia, was determined to possess the Afghan city of Herat; a city long known as the "Key to India." On June 23, 1837 he marched out of Tehran towards Herat, 650 miles to the east. After two earlier frustrated attempts to take the city, he did not intend to fail again.
Count Ivan Simonich, the Russian Minister to Persia, had encouraged the expedition from the beginning and had made promises of Russian aid. On the other hand, the British Minister to Persia, Sir John McNeill, had consistently pointed out the difficulties and had made clear the official British disapproval of the whole affair. At the last minute, the Shah had doubts of Russian support in case of real British opposition but Count Simonich was able to reassure him and he marched.
The events that unfolded during the next few years as a consequence of the Shah's decision determined the pattern of relations in this part of the world for the rest of the nineteenth century. The interests of Britain and Russia came into sharp conflict for the first time and limits were set to the power of each that were not to be exceeded. The affair also made clear that Persia, Afghanistan, and the other states of the area were no longer in control of their own destinies, but were becoming pawns in a power struggle between outside powers.
- Battles Of Panipat
Battles of Panipat There were three battles fought at Panipat, located 70 miles northwest of Delhi, the strategically important city in northern India and capital of many dynasties. The first one was in 1526 between Ibrahim Lodi, Afghan ruler of the Kingdom...
- Safavid Empire
Safavid Empire The Safavid Empire was established as the Mongol il-Khan government declined and the Safavids were victorious over the numerous Turkish tribes who had established independent fiefdoms in Persia (present-day northern Iran) during the 13th...
- History Of Nepal
History of Nepal. This is a brief history of the Asian nation of Nepal. Nepal has a very unique flag for a nation state. It also has seen considerable unrest in recent years. The Encyclopædia Britannica notes, "Officially Kingdom of Nepal , Nepali Nepal...
- History Of Iran
History of Iran. This is an essay on the history of Iran which was known as Persia in ancient times. From the site: The ancient nation of Iran, historically known to the West as Persia and once a major empire in its own right, has been overrun frequently...
- History Of Afghanistan
History of Afghanistan This is a general overview of the history of Afghanistan. For such a small area, this nations sure has a violent history. From the site: Afghanistan, often called the crossroads of Central Asia, has had a turbulent history....
World History
Siege of Herat
The Siege of Herat - Thesis by John Carl Nelson discussing the political situation in early 19th century Afghanistan and Mohammed Shah Kajars siege of Herat 1837-1838. It includes old maps and a bibliography.
From the site:
Mohammed Shah Kajar, ruler of Persia, was determined to possess the Afghan city of Herat; a city long known as the "Key to India." On June 23, 1837 he marched out of Tehran towards Herat, 650 miles to the east. After two earlier frustrated attempts to take the city, he did not intend to fail again.
Count Ivan Simonich, the Russian Minister to Persia, had encouraged the expedition from the beginning and had made promises of Russian aid. On the other hand, the British Minister to Persia, Sir John McNeill, had consistently pointed out the difficulties and had made clear the official British disapproval of the whole affair. At the last minute, the Shah had doubts of Russian support in case of real British opposition but Count Simonich was able to reassure him and he marched.
The events that unfolded during the next few years as a consequence of the Shah's decision determined the pattern of relations in this part of the world for the rest of the nineteenth century. The interests of Britain and Russia came into sharp conflict for the first time and limits were set to the power of each that were not to be exceeded. The affair also made clear that Persia, Afghanistan, and the other states of the area were no longer in control of their own destinies, but were becoming pawns in a power struggle between outside powers.
- Battles Of Panipat
Battles of Panipat There were three battles fought at Panipat, located 70 miles northwest of Delhi, the strategically important city in northern India and capital of many dynasties. The first one was in 1526 between Ibrahim Lodi, Afghan ruler of the Kingdom...
- Safavid Empire
Safavid Empire The Safavid Empire was established as the Mongol il-Khan government declined and the Safavids were victorious over the numerous Turkish tribes who had established independent fiefdoms in Persia (present-day northern Iran) during the 13th...
- History Of Nepal
History of Nepal. This is a brief history of the Asian nation of Nepal. Nepal has a very unique flag for a nation state. It also has seen considerable unrest in recent years. The Encyclopædia Britannica notes, "Officially Kingdom of Nepal , Nepali Nepal...
- History Of Iran
History of Iran. This is an essay on the history of Iran which was known as Persia in ancient times. From the site: The ancient nation of Iran, historically known to the West as Persia and once a major empire in its own right, has been overrun frequently...
- History Of Afghanistan
History of Afghanistan This is a general overview of the history of Afghanistan. For such a small area, this nations sure has a violent history. From the site: Afghanistan, often called the crossroads of Central Asia, has had a turbulent history....