An Example of the British Struggle for Influence in Afghanistan: The Durand Line (1893)

Year 2023, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 606 - 632, 26.03.2023

Furkan Külünk

https://doi.org/10.24186/vakanuvis.1211764

Abstract

In the 19th century, the rivalry between Russia and Britain created an atmosphere of conflict on the territory of Afghanistan and had many negative consequences for the Afghan State. The diplomatic contacts of both states with the Afghan court caused the Afghan Amirs to pursue a policy of balance. During the reign of Amir Abdurrahman Khan (1880-1901), who became the head of the Afghan State after the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), the British, who were trying to take measures against the Russian advance in the north, made works on the northern border lines of Afghanistan, after which the northwestern borders of India came to the agenda and it was decided to determine the border between the Afghan State and British India. On November 12, 1893, with the signing of the Durand Line Treaty, an atmosphere of conflict emerged between tribes and ethnic groups along the Afghanistan-India border line. Considering the process of signing the treaty and its effects, it is seen that it had an important place in determining the fate of the region. This study examines the negotiation process between Amir Abdurrahman Khan and the British delegation regarding the Durand Line, the signing of the treaty and the effects it had on the region after its signing.

Keywords

Afghanistan, England, Russia, Diplomacy, Durand Line

İngilizlerin Afganistan’daki Nüfuz Mücadelesine Bir Örnek: Durand Hattı (1893)

Abstract

19. yüzyılda Rusya ve İngiltere arasındaki rekabet Afganistan toprakları üzerinde bir çatışma ortamı meydana getirdi ve Afgan Devleti açısından birçok olumsuz sonuç doğurdu. Her iki devletin Afgan sarayı ile olan diplomatik temasları Afgan Emirlerinin denge politikaları izlemelerine neden oldu. İkinci İngiliz-Afgan Savaşı’nın (1878-1880) ardından Afgan Devleti’nin başına geçen Emir Abdurrahman Han (1880-1901) döneminde kuzeydeki Rus ilerleyişi karşısında önlem almaya çalışan İngilizlerin Afganistan’ın kuzey sınır hatları hakkında tespit çalışmaları yapmasının akabinde Hindistan’ın kuzeybatı sınırları gündeme geldi ve Afgan Devleti ile İngiliz Hindistanı arasındaki sınırın belirlenmesi kararı verildi. 12 Kasım 1893’te imzalanan Durand Hattı Antlaşması ile birlikte Afganistan-Hindistan sınır hattı boyunca kabileler ve etnik gruplar arasında bir çatışma ortamı meydana geldi. Antlaşmanın imzalanma süreci ve meydana getirdiği etkileri düşünüldüğünde bölgenin kaderinin tayini noktasında önemli bir yere sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada Emir Abdurrahman Han ve İngiliz heyeti arasında Durand Hattı’yla ilgili gerçekleşen müzakere süreci, antlaşmanın imzalanması ve imzalandıktan sonra bölgede meydana getirdiği etkiler incelenmektedir.

Keywords

Afganistan, İngiltere, Rusya, Diplomasi, Durand Hattı.

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