Tag Archives: Afghanistan

Afghanistan is located in the heart of Central Asia, bordering with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, Iran to the west and Pakistan to the east and south. It is a landlocked country of mountains, deserts, and rolling plains. The Hindu Kush mountain range runs through Afghanistan from northeast to southwest. This range is home to some of the highest peaks in Central Asia, including Mount Noshaq (24,557 feet), which is the highest point in Afghanistan. The desert region of Dasht-e Margo lies in western Afghanistan near the border with Iran. This desert has sand dunes that can reach up to 600 feet high. To the east are rolling plains that are part of the Central Asian steppe region. In northern Afghanistan there are numerous rivers that originate from glacier-fed lakes located in high mountain valleys. These rivers provide irrigation for agricultural production in this region. The climate of Afghanistan varies greatly depending on location due to its large size and geographic diversity. The northern parts experience cold winters and hot summers while those living along the southern border experience semi-arid climates with hot summers and mild winters. In general, most areas experience a dry season from May through October followed by a wet season from November through April when snowfall can occur at higher elevations. Overall, Afghanistan’s geography provides its population with many natural resources such as oil reserves and abundant agricultural land that have been essential for its people throughout history. With the jealousy of those rulers, who were at times hostile to one another, it did not seem inappropriate for England to meddle in the affairs of Afghanistan. It supported the Shah Shudshah , who was again elevated to commander of Kabul in 1838. Shortly afterwards, Lord Auckland , Governor-General of the English Indies, issued a manifesto in which he accused the Afghan chieftains that by siding with Persia they had transgressed against the interests of England. Then a British army marched along the Indus to Afghanistan. It suffered greatly from heat and lack of water, especially at the Bolan Pass. But the Afghans barely resisted; their armies melted where the English appeared, and where they held out, as at Ghizni , they suffered a tremendous defeat. Dost – Mohammed had to seek refuge in flight and was beaten again near Kabul in 1840, after which he voluntarily surrendered to the English. Much was gained by this, but the English were hated for their pride and for the favor of Shudshah . At the same time, they neglected all precautionary measures, so that an elaborate conspiracy arose without them suspecting anything of it. She appeared on the 24th of November, 1841, with the assassination of the English chief of army Sir Alexander Burnes . Mac Naghten , now in chief, because of his carelessness lost the city of Kabul with a large stock of provisions and military supplies, and he himself was killed in a negotiation, by Akbar – Khan , the son of Dost – Muhammad and chief of the Afghans, tied. Instead of taking still more vigorous measures, the negotiations were continued, and the English could at last negotiate nothing more than the free retreat. On the 6th January, 1842, Generals Elphinstone and Shelton retired  set out with their troops to reach India over Shelalabad and the Kheiber Pass. Plagued by fierce cold and — especially in the mountain passes — by treacherous attacks by the Afghans, the English were partly killed, partly captured, so that of the 5,000 men who garrisoned Kabul, only ten reached the objective of their march. Many chief officers had surrendered to Akbar – Khan . Major General Anquetil , who was in command of the last remnants of the army, died a hero’s death. Now Lord Auck-land became by Lord Ellenborough and the latter strove for an immediate evacuation of Afghanistan, so that the British generals could scarcely obtain leave to avenge the deaths of their comrades-in-arms. General Pollock passed through the Kheiber pass to Kabul, and General Nott from Kandahar to Ghizni. Both cities and many others were taken and destroyed. Check bridgat for Afghanistan Weather and Climate.