Page 111

- 98 - temper stuck to his views; and contrived to ally a number of other officers serving in Sindh to his views. Even then, other high officers in India, such as Lord Achison, Lord Lawrence, Lord Mayo and Lord Northbrook during their term office, gave a practical shape to the theory of Forward Policy. At the time of the coro-nation of Amir Shair Ali Khan, when he ascended the throne of Afghanistan for a second time, Sir Henry Lawrence sent a Despatch to London. Sir Henry was a supported of Forward policy, and during the First Afghan War was the English Agent at Kandahar. He felt the danger of Russia in Central Asia, and taking into account the defence of India, his Despatch to London had a meaning of its own. He proposed that English Agents, both political and Commercial should be sent out from England to Afghanistan and to various rulers of Central Asian Khanates in order to strengthen the British position in those localities. This political thinker of England thought that the English influence at Quetta and in the Valley of Kurram Pass should be made manifest. Also that the regions of the north-west should be strengthened. But Lord Lawrence, who had previously opposed the Forward Policy advised that beyond the river Indus the English should not set their foot; and held that under no circumstances any interference in Afghan matters should be effected. He further added that even if this interference in the beginning should be localised and limited in its scope, it will take the matters to a pass when the occupation of the whole country would become imparative; as was the case in the year 1838, A. D. the results of which were very well known. Lord Lawrence was prepard to meet Amir Sheir Ali Khan at Umballa; but when Lord Mayo became the Governor General after Lord Lawrence, this meeting was held between the Amir and the Governor General. As a result the bondry line between Russia and Afghantstan was demarcated; and the Russian Government undertook to consider Afghantstan outside her sphere of influence. This was effected in the year 1873. A. D. Amir Shair Ali Shah sought the help of money and arms, in case the Russian aggression might take place; but the English made it a condition that such a help could be given only, if the English were permitted to