Q. With reference to the British policy toward Afghanistan in the 19th century, consider the following statements:
1.The British viewed Afghanistan as a vital “buffer state” against the potential overland expansion of the Russian Empire toward India.
2.Under the “Masterly Inactivity” policy, the British actively intervened in Afghan succession disputes to ensure a pro-British Amir was always on the throne.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct. This was the cornerstone of the “Great Game.”
Statement 2: Incorrect. The policy of “Masterly Inactivity” (associated with John Lawrence) was actually a policy of non-interference in internal Afghan politics, letting the Afghans fight among themselves and only recognizing the victor as long as they were not allied with Russia. The interventionist approach was known as the “Forward Policy.”
