With the exception of two short periods of direct British intervention during the Anglo-Afghan Wars of 1839-42 and 1878-80, the history of nineteenth-century Afghanistan has received little attention from western scholars so far. This study seeks to shift the focus of debate from the geostrategic concern with Afghanistan as the bone of contention between imperial Russian and British interests to a thorough investigation of the sociopolitical circumstances prevailing within the country. On the basis of unpublished British documents and works by Afghan historians, it lays the groundwork for a better understanding of the political mechanisms at work during the early Muhammadzai era by analysing them both from the viewpoint of the center and the pierphery. Chapter One depicts the origins of the state-supporting elite and the position it assumed during the decline of the Sadozai dynasty and the rise of Amir Dost Muhammad Khan. Chapter Two traces the expansion of Muhammadzai authority in Lesser Turkistan and its effect on the local Uzbek leadership.
Chapter Three analyses the political position of the Pashtuns with special reference to the ecological, economic and historical factors shaping a variety of tribal settings and strategies vis-a -vis Muhammadzai claims to supremacy. Chapter Four examines Amir Dost Muhammad Khan's mostly futile attempts to centralise his administration and to change the distribution of power between the court and the tribal leadership in a significant manner. 'A superb piece of research. Dr Noelle's study covers new ground and fills a gap in our knowledge of this important period in 19th century Afghanistan.'