ABSTRACT
The border of Afghanistan is in truth the border of India. The policy of Lord Lawrence was to abstain from any interference in the domestic discords of Afghanistan and to recognize any ruler who could de facto establish his authority. Opposed to the views of Lord Lawrence and his school were those of the party which became known as Russophobes. Amir Sher Ali had at last got the better of his brethren and established himself as Amir of Afghanistan. He was by no means inclined to view with the same detachment as Mr. Gladstone the advance of Russia towards the frontier of his turbulent realm. Amir Sher Ali tried to persuade Lord Northbrook that 'the interests of the Afghan and British Governments are identical, and that the frontier of Afghanistan is the frontier of India'. The Amir was peremptorily informed that Sir Neville Chamberlain, at that time commanding the army at Madras, would forthwith proceed to Kabul.
