'Masterly inactivity' : Lord Lawrence, Britain and Afghanistan, 1864-1879
This dissertation examines British policy in Afghanistan between 1864 and 1879, with particular emphasis on Sir John Lawrenceâs term as governor-general and viceroy of India (1864-69). Having achieved national renown for his exploits in the Punjab during the Indian Mutiny, as governor-general Sir John (later first Baron) Lawrence became synonymous with a particular line of foreign policy in Afghanistan, commonly referred to by contemporaries as âmasterly inactivityâ. His tenure at Calcutta coincided with a critical period in Anglo-Afghan relations, on account of a protracted civil war in Afghanistan and the renewal of Russian military advances in central Asia. This dissertation explains why government ministers granted Lawrence so much latitude for formulating British policy and what motivated his âmasterly inactivityâ, an alluring although misleading expression. A central concern is the extent to which public criticism in Britain influenced Lawrenceâs decisions in India. Some of the constraints on policy-makers are also explored, including contemporary perceptions about the importance of âprestigeâ to the control of India. In addition, the thesis considers some of the domestic effects of British
Wallace, Christopher Julian
'Masterly inactivity' : Lord Lawrence, Britain and Afghanistan, 1864-1879. This dissertation examines British policy in Afghanistan between 1864 and 1879, with particular emphasis on Sir John Lawrenceâs term as governor-general and viceroy of India (1864-69). Having achieved national renown for his exploits in the Punjab during the Indian Mutiny, as governor-general Sir John (later first Baron) Lawrence became synonymous with a particular line of foreign policy in Afghanistan, commonly referred to by contemporaries as âmasterly inactivityâ. His tenure at Calcutta coincided with a critical period in Anglo-Afghan relations, on account of a protracted civil war in Afghanistan and the renewal of Russian military advances in central Asia. This dissertation explains why government ministers granted Lawrence so much latitude for formulating British policy and what motivated his âmasterly inactivityâ, an alluring although misleading expression. A central concern is the extent to which public criticism in Britain influenced Lawrenceâs decisions in India. Some of the constraints on policy-makers are also explored, including contemporary perceptions about the importance of âprestigeâ to the control of India. In addition, the thesis considers some of the domestic effects of British
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