Henry Lansdell was an explorer, missionary, geographer and philanthropist. He travelled extensively throughout his life, in particular undertaking arduous journeys of up to 12,000 miles to little known regions of Asia. His expeditions made him a key figure in opening up many hitherto unknown areas of China, Russia and Central Asia and led to his election to the Royal Asiatic Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science.Irina Kantarbaeva-Bill, is Associate Lecturer, Department of Foreign Languages, University of Toulouse-Le Mirail. Her research focuses on British History and Literature in the Victorian period, Russian Imperial History, European Cultural Studies, the Great Game, Orientalism, Colonialism and Postcolonialism.

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• CONTENTSVolume 1BOOK I.— INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. [1800—1801.] Shah Zemann and the Douranee Empire — Threatened Afghan Invasion — Malcolm's First Mission to Persia — Country and People of Afghanistan — Fall of Zemann Shah CHAPTER II. [1801—1808.] The Early Days of Soojah-ool-Moolk — Disastrous Commencement of his Career — Defeat of Shah Mahmoud — Reign of Shah Soojah — The Insurrection of Prince Kaysur — Tidings of the British Mission CHAPTER III. [1801—1808.] France and Russia in the East — Death of Hadjee Khalil Khan — The Mission of Condolence — Aga Nebee Khan — Extension of Russian Dominion in the East — French Diplomacy in Persia — The pacification of Tilsit — Decline of French influence in Teheran CHAPTER IV. [1808—1809.] The Second Mission to Persia — Malcolm's Visit to Bushire — Failure of the Embassy — His Return to Calcutta — Mission of Sir Harford Jones — His Progress and Success CHAPTER V. [1808—1809.] The Missions to Lahore and Caubul — The Aggressions of Runjeet Singh— Mr. Metcalfe at Umritsur— Treaty of 1809— Mr. Elphinstone's Mission — Arrival at Peshawur — Reception by Shah Soojah — Withdrawal of the Mission — Negotiations with the Ameers of Sindh CHAPTER VI. [1809—1816.] The Mid-Career of Shah Soojah — His Wanderings and Misfortunes — Captivity in Cashmere — Imprisonment at Lahore — Robbery of the Koh-i-noor — Reception of the Shah by the Rajah of Kistawar — His Escape to the British Territories CHAPTER VII. [1816—1837.] Dost Mahomed and the Barukzyes — Early days of Dost Mahomed —The fall of Futteh Khan— Defeat of Shah Mahmoud— Supremacy of the Barukzyes — Position of the Empire— Dost Mahomed at Caubul — Expedition of Shah Soojah — His Defeat —Capture of Peshawur by the Sikhs CHAPTER VIII. [1810—1837.] Later Events in Persia — The Treaty of Goolistan — Arrival of Sir Gore Ouseley — Mr. Morier and Mr. EUis — The Definitive Treaty— The War of 1826-27— The Treaty of Toorkomanchai — Death of Futteh Ali Shah — Accession of Mahomed Shah — His Projects of Ambition— The Expedition against Herat BOOK 11. [1835—1838.] CHAPTER I. [1835—1837.] The Commercial Mission to Caubul — Arrival of Lord Auckland — His Character — Alexander Burnes — His Travels in Central Asia — Deputation to the Court of Dost Mahomed — Reception by the Ameer — Negotiations at Caubul — Failure of the Mission CHAPTER II. [1837—1839.] The Siege of Herat — Shah Kamran and Yar Mahomed — Return of the Shah — Eldred Pottinger — Preparations for the Defence — Advance of the Persian Army — Progress of the Siege — Negotiations for Peace — Failure of the Attack — The Siege raised CHAPTER III. [1837—1838.] Policy of the British-Indian Q-ovemment — Our Defensive Operations—Excitement in British India — Proposed Alliance with Dost Mahomed — Failure of Burnes's Mission considered — The claims of the Suddozye Princes — The Tripartite Treaty — Invasion of Afghanistan determined — Policy of the Movement CHAPTER IV. [July— October : 1838.] The Simlah Manifesto — The Simlah Council — Influence of Messrs.Colvin and Torrens — Views of Captains Burnes and Wade — Opinions of Sir Henry Fane — The Army of the Indus — The Governor- General's Manifesto — Its Policy consideredBOOK III. [1838—1839.] CHAPTER I. The Army of the Indus — Gathering at Ferozepore — Resignation of Sir Henry Fane — Route of the Army — Passage through Bahwulpore— The Ameers of Sindh — The Hyderabad Question — Passage of the Bolan Pass — Arrival at Candahar CHAPTER II. [April— August : 1839.] Arrival at Candahar — The Shah's Entry into the City — His Installation — Nature of his Reception — Behaviour of the Douranees — The English at Candahar — Mission to Herat — Difficulties of our Position — Advance to Ghuznee CHAPTER III. [June— August : 1839.] The Disunion of the Barukzyes — Prospects of Dost Mahomed — Keane's Advance t