The Great Game Begins

This podcast episode provides a historical analysis of the significance of Afghanistan within the Great Game, a contest for power between Britain and Russia in the 19th century. It explores Napoleon's aspirations to conquer India and the proactive strategies employed by the British to safeguard their interests. The episode examines the diplomatic challenges faced by the British in navigating relations with Afghanistan and sheds light on the intrigue surrounding key individuals and valuable artifacts. It delves into the world of espionage, intelligence operations, and the shifting geopolitical landscape in Europe. Ultimately, the episode uncovers the fatal error made by the East India Company in underestimating the threat of Russian expansion, which foreshadowed a catastrophic turning point in history. Takeaways • The significance of controlling Afghanistan in gaining access to India's wealth during the Great Game. • The offensive nature of the term "Great Game" and the impact on Afghan historians and locals. • Napoleon's ambitions to conquer India and his out-of-the-box strategic thinking. • The British countermeasures, diplomatic efforts, and intrigue surrounding the Great Game. • The Afghan perception of power and the challenges faced by British diplomats like Elfenstein. • The suspense and drama surrounding the fate of characters like Shah Shuja. • The complexities of British intelligence operations and their impact on the geopolitical landscape. • The changing power dynamics in Europe following Napoleon's defeat and Russia's expansion. • Lord Ellenbrahum's role in aligning the East India Company's actions with British interests. • The fear of Russia's expansion leading to the division of people into hawks and doves, and the East India Company's fatal miscalculation.