ABSTRACT
One of the most evocative names in both history and geography is that of the Khyber Pass, which has featured in the records of military marches and invasions over many centuries. In the modern world in which military thinkers appear increasingly to believe that wars can be won by airpower alone such a pass may appear as an anachronism, a picturesque valley that will attract sightseers but no longer have any military significance. In historical times the pass acted as a magnet to invaders: it was the easiest route through the mountains from the high plateau of Afghanistan onto the rich plains of northern India and for that reason was tried again and again. Through the centuries Afghanistan was to act as a centre from which warlike peoples expanded outwards and the Khyber Pass was the most obvious passage eastwards to India. What stands out about the story of the pass is that almost all warlike movements through it were from west to east rather than in the other direction, though this pattern was to be reversed during the 19th century when the British ruled India. India, it seems, was content with its great size and wealth while the restless peoples beyond the pass were always seeking an outlet for their energies in fresh conquests and India was seen as a tempting prize to be won.
