Afghanistan and the surrounding regions were contested by multiple forces including Russia and the Sikh Empire. Britain had made substantial territorial gains in India and was wary of Russian expansion into north-west India. This led to the British seeking an alliance with Dost Mohammad Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan.

However, the alliance soon broke down as Amir Dost Khan entertained an alliance with Britain’s rival in the Great Game, Russia. This necessitated a British invasion of Afghanistan. After early successes and a brief occupation of Ghazni and Kabul, British forces were met with fierce Afghan resistance and were forced into a retreat.