B. D.HOPKINS is currently an Assistant Professor in the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. His work focuses on modern South Asian history, in particular that of Afghanistan and the northwest frontier during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He is also co-author (with Magnus Marsden) of Fragments of the Afghan Frontier, as well as numerous journalarticles.

'A complex book both in its argument and its presentation. [...] This is a book written with serious intent and deserves close scrutiny.' - Asian Affairs

• List of Maps Note on Transliteration Glossary of Foreign Terms Acknowledgements Introduction The Power of Colonial Knowledge The Myths of the 'Great Game' Anglo-Sikh Relations and South Asian Warfare Ontology of the Afghan Political Community Camels, Caravan and Corridor Cities: The Afghan Economy The Afghan Trade Corridor The 'Failure' of the Afghan Political Project Epilogue Bibliography