Timeline of the
"Great Game" in Asia
under Tsar Nicholas I
(1826-1852)

   

 

 
A historical overview of the
"Great Game" in Asia from 1826 to 1852
 

This section will give a history of the Russian 1848 Hungarian intervention.  For ease of reference the table below allows you to study each conflict year by year.  At the end of this section the costs of the war in both men and equipment will be discussed.

Modern dates are listed above, with Gregorian dates in parenthesis.

With few exceptions noted in parenthesis, all dates given below are according to the Julian Calendar that was used by Russia during this period.  It was 12 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by the rest of the world.


Timeline of the Conflict
  

Russian Leaders
(1826-1852)
1826-1855 Nicholas Romanov I
Back to
the Wars of Nicholas I

 

 

Prelude to War

 

The revolutions of 1848 spread throughout Europe with astonishing speed as social democrats, reformers, and nationalists demanded an end to the traditional monarchies of Europe.  The wave of uprisings began in France, but soon spread to Italy, and then to Central Europe.  In the divided Austrian kingdom these revolutionary ideas found favor with Hungarian nationalists and freedom minded Poles (who had survived their own failed attempt at independence earlier in the decade).

When revolutionary elements began protesting and demanding civil liberties, the initial reaction of the Austrian government was to give in to their demands - at least legislatively.  Other factions took a harder line, and soon small loyalist groups began fighting against the Hungarian separatists.  This would soon erupt into a full scale revolt that threatened the weak Austrian monarchy.

 

Mention that Moorcroft angers ruler of Punjab.

   

Timeline 1826-1852 (1)

 

1826
  May Russian forces occupy Mirak in Persian controlled Armenia.
Persians send delegation headed by Mirza Mohammed Sadiq to St. Petersburg to negotiate, but he is detained in Tiflis by Governor General Alexei Yermolov.

(19 July)		 Persian force of 30,000 men storm across the border.  Many towns and the fortress of Lenkoran are captured.  Persian irregulars raid Tiflis where Yermolov has his headquarters.
Russia accuses London of instigating the attack due to the presense of British military advisors in the Persian army.
(Late July) Yermolov orders General Valerian Madatov to sortie southward with 2000 men, but avoid major battles.
(2 September) General Madatov engage and defeat a 10,000 man Persian force and relieve besieged town of Shusha.
(Early September) General Paskievich arrives in Tiflis and takes military command from Yermolov.
(14 September) General Paskievich  routs force of 60,000 Persians at a battle along Akstafa river.
1827
  (28 March) Yermolov gives General Paskievich full command of the Russian forces he controls. 
26 June Russian forces move south and occupy Nakhichivan unopposed.
  David Urquhart travels to Greece with 80 other British volunteers to fight against the Turks, but later grows disillusioned and sympathetic to the Turkish cause.
(23 September) Russian forces lay siege to Yerevan
(2 October) Yerevan falls to Russian forces
29 October Battle of Navarino
Russian and European squadron defeat a Turkish fleet thereby aiding the Greeks in their war for independence.
(13 October) Tabriz surrenders to Russian forces.
1828
 
(10 February) Treaty of Turkmenchay is signed between Persia and Russia.  According to its terms, Persia cedes Erevan and Nakhichivan to Russia.
(20 March) General Paskevich learns that Russia is at war with Turkey.
April Russian forces under Prince Peter Wittgenstein move into Wallachia and Moldova.
June Main body of Russian forces cross Danube.
23 June Turkish city of Kars falls to Russian forces from the Caucasus.
1829
  January Russian ambassador Alexander Griboyedov arrives in Teheran.  He wrote the play "Woe from Wit", negotiated the treaty ending the war, and once was a secretary to Yermolov.
11 February Following a dispute over three escaped Armenian slaves who sought refuge in the Russian embassy, Giboyedov and the entire Russian ligation are killed by a Persian mob.
June Alexander Pushkin travelling through the Caucasus encounters a group reterning from Teheran with his friend Griboyedov's body.  Griboyedov would later be buried in Tiflis (modern Tiblisi).
27 July Russian forces under Paskevich take Erzerum.
14 September Treaty of Adrianople is signed between Russia and Turkey.  It gives Russia control over the mouth of the Danube, Moldova, Wallachia, and parts of Armenia.
Autumn Anti-Russian critic, Sir Robert Wilson, writes "On the practicability of an Invasion of British India".  The book would be more favorably received than his previous work as Britain began to grow more fearful of Russia.
Autumn An Afghan chieftain arrives in St. Petersburg as an ambassador of the ruler of Punjab - Ranjit Singh.  England learns of this and becomes nervous.
Autumn Lt. Connolly sets out from Moscow for the Caucasus, then claims to head to India, but instead makes for Khiva.
  British government under Ellenborough begins gathering intelligence on nations neighboring India.
1830
  September Connolly reached Herat, ruled by Kamran Shah.  He spends three weeks there posing as a doctor.
22 November Connolly arrives in Quetta by way of Khandahar.
1831
 
31 January Wellington's government falls, Ellenborough is out of power.  Malcomb authorizes Lt. Burnes' expedition up the Indus to coverty survey the river.
31 January Lt. Arthur Connolly arrives in Indian village of Tibbee after his year long mission.
August Burnes' expedition returns to British India from Lahore, then make for Ludhiana where he meets an exiled Afghan ruler named Shah Shuja Durrani.
31 October Ruler of Egypt, Mohammed Ali, revolts against Ottoman Sultan beginning the first Turko-Egyptian War.  The Sultan appeals to Britain for help, but Lord Palmerston hesitates.
  Tsar Nicholas dispatches General Nikolai Muraviev to Constantinople to offer aid.  The Sultan hesitates hoping for British assistance.
December Burnes proposes an expedition to Kabul, then to Bokhara.  It is approved by Governor General Lord William Bentinck.
1832
  17 March Burnes' expedition crosses the Indus river at Attock and head for Kabul by way of Jalalabad.
Spring Alexander Burnes arrives in Kabul where he meets with its ruler - Dost Mohammed.
27 June Burnes arrives in Bokhara where he meets with its ruler Koosh Begee.
1833
  18 January Burnes' party reaches Bombay by way of the Persian Gulf.
20 February Burnes' arrives in Calcutta to report to the Governor-General.
Spring A large fleet of Russian warships arrive in Constantinople.
6 May Convention at Kutahya is held ending the war between Turkey and Egypt.
  Russian fleet reluctantly withdraws from Constantinople.
8 July Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi is signed between Turkey and Russia.  It made the two powers nominal allies and raised British fears.
Summer Itinerant traveler James Lewis (a deserter from the East India Company's army posing as an American named Charles Masson) settles in Kabul.  He would later be a source of intelligence for British agents.
1834
 

xx

 1834 John Murry publishes Burnes' account as "Travels to Bokhara".  It becomes an immediate best seller.
xx Urquhart makes contact with Circassian rebel leaders who ask him to lead their cause.  He politely refuses saying he is more useful in his current position.

xx

 Connolly publishes "Journey to the North of India, overland from England, through Russia, Persia, and Afghanistan."  It detailed his adventure as well as evaluated the two most likely routes by which Russia could invade India.
1835
 
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
  October Dost Mohammed of Kabul makes a low key entreaty to the Russians, prompting them to send Captain Yan Vitkevich to obtain more information and offer friendship.
1836
 
Early 1836 Urquhart is posted to Constantinople as First Secretary at the British embassy.
4 March George Eden, 1st Lord of Aukland is appointed Governor General of India.
November At Urquhart's urging, the British ship 'Vixen' leaves Constantinople to ostensibly deliver salt to the port of Seljuk Kale.  Its true purpose is to deliver weapons to Circassian rebels and test the Russian blockade.
xxx Upon the arrival of the 'Vixen' in Seljuk Kale, a Russian brig arrests the crew of the ship and interns the crew causing an anti-Russian uproar in the British press.
  Lord Palmerston is upset by the seizure of the vessel, while the Foreign Secretary is angry with Urquhart.
1837
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
1838
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
James Longworth with The Times, was in region writing sympathetically for Circassian cause.
His companion James Bell, lent the Vixen to further the Circassian cause.
Resistance under Shamil begins in Daghestan.
British government chooses to do nothing over Vixen affair, embarrassing Longworth and Bell to the Circassians.
26 November 1836 Burnes proposes to establish a permenant mission to Kabul.  He is initially refused, but the new Governor-General, Lord Auckland approves.  Burnes is dispatched to Kabul.
Xx (page 152) Tsar receives word of British spies operating in Circassia.
March 1836 Lord Durham writes Palmerston that Russian military power is largely defensive, and cannot mount offensive actions of any major sort.
1836 Sir John McNeill anonymously publishes, “The progress and present position of Russia in the East” which illustrated (with fold out maps) Russian expansion since Peter the Great.  It contrasted with Durham view.  It advanced the anti-Russian camp.
1836 Sir John McNeill appointed Minister to Teheran.  (When was Lord Ponsonby ambassador to Constantinople?)

 
1835
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
1835
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
1835
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
1835
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
1835
cc
  Burnes is promoted to captain and awarded the Gold Prize by the Royal Geographic Society.
 

xx

 1834 John Murry publishes Burnes' account as "Travels to Bokhara".  It becomes an immediate best seller.

 

 

Aftermath of the Conflict

The end of hostilities marked a period of harsh repression in Hungary.  Russian General Haynau was appointed military governor of the region.  His attitude was best captured by his quote, "I shall uproot the weed." (1)  On his orders a dozen rebel generals were executed by firing squad on October 6th, 1849.  The first prime minister of Hungary - Batthyany was also shot.  Total executions numbered 114, with some 2000 people imprisoned.  General Görgei's life was spared on orders of the Tsar.

Other Hungarian rebels fled to the Ottoman Empire.  General Bem remained there, and after converting to Islam became the governor of Aleppo under the name Murad Pasha.  Kossuth left to the United States where he remained very popular.  Many other Hungarian troops also fled to the United States where they would aid the Union during that nation's Civil War.

The failed revolt did not quell the desire for Hungarian independence, however.  Later reforms would declare the Empire a dual state: the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  Its lands would have a degree of autonomy and its own parliament in 1867.  The conflict simply postponed the changes.

In Russia, the war did little other than to reaffirm Tsar Nicholas' fear of revolution.

 

Cost of the Russian 1848 Hungarian Intervention (1)

At this point I only have the very incomplete statistics for Russian losses during the Russian 1848 intervention in Hungary.  This will improve with time, but for now I have listed only the statistics that I have.  Those that I do not know at this time are marked as uncertain at present.  Suffice it to say that the Russians massed a force of 200,000 men with 80,000 more in reserve.  

Number of Russian military personnel who served in the Conflict: 200,000 men
 

Force Breakdown

Russian Army: 200,000
Austrian Army: 170,000

Total Killed and Wounded

Killed in Action: Uncertain at Present
Died of Illness: Uncertain at Present
Missing in Action: Uncertain at Present
Wounded: Uncertain at Present

 

Sources Cited

(1) Hopkirk, Peter, The Great Game, The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia, New York, NY: Kodnasha America Inc, 1990, Print.
18 August 1837 Lt. Eldred Pottinger of the East India company arrives in Herat. 
Autumn 1837 Lt Henry Rawlinson (an officer under McNeill) encounters a group of Russians   Russians claim to be delivering a gift to the new Shah of Persia.  In talks with the Shah later that night he discovers they had been given safe passage and were headed for Kabul.
?. Next night, Russians enter shah’s camp and leader introduces himself as Captain Yan Vitkevich from Orenburg garrison.
1 November Rawlinson arrives back in Teheran where he informs McNeil of Russian presence advising Persians to attack Herat and their efforts to win over Dost Mohammed of Kabul (where Burnes was located).
20 November 1837 Burnes returns to Kabul to a friendly welcome from  his old friend Dost Mohammed.  He and Masson begin to work together to intrigue against the Russians.
Mohammed proposes an alliance with the British before the Russians arrive.
23 Nov  Shah’s forces with artillery attack Herat and begin seige.
Shah is advised by Russians, who were prompted to attack by Country Simonich in Teheran. 
-- Sir John McNeal and Count Simonich arrive in Shah’s camp as observers.
24 December Vitkevich arrives in Kabul, and is given a Christmas dinner by Burnes.  His delegation initially receives little favor with Mohammed. 
20 January 1838 Auckland rejects Mohammed’s offer in the form of a condescending ultimatum, citing his alliance with Ranjit Singh of Punjab.  His letter greatly offends Mohammed’s pride and hampers Burnes’ ability to make any sort of deal. 
11 April Persians running low on supplies McNeal reports to Palmerston. 
21 April 1838 Mohammed receives Vitkevich in his palace in Bala Hissar as a sign of his improving favor towards the Russians.
27 april Burnes departs from Kabul with deep regrets after final audience with Mohammed before departing to India.
19 june British land on Kharg island in persia.Mcneal sends lt.Col. Charles Stoddard to warn shah.
British determine (against advice of Burnes and McNeal) to replace Dost Mohammed with someone more loyal. Macnaughten selects the exiled  Shah Shujah. 
24 June  Count Simonich launches attack on Herat.  It is turned back by the efforts of Pottinger.
June 1838 Secret agreement signed between Ranjit Singh, Shah Shujah, and British.  It will depose Dost Mohammed with Shuja in Kabul.  Shujah renounces all claims to Peshawar.
Stoddart warns shah if he does not lift seige there will be war with Britain.
McNaughton is knighted and appointed envoy to Kabul.  Burnes is also knighted and appointed his advisor.  Lt Pottinger in Herat is named one of McNaughton political assistants.  Col Stoddart was sent from  Shah’s camp to Bokhara to reassure emir of British intentions.  (This occurs before siege of Herat ends)
9 September Persians lift seige of Herat and return home.
-- In London, Russian ambassador is told of actions of Simonich and Vitkevich leading both to be recalled.
October 1 Auckland delivers ‘Simla manifesto’ it announces Britain’s intention to remove Dost Mohammed and replace him with Shuja.  Afghanistan is to be made a British dependency.  
October Nesselrode  writes to russian ambassador in London regarding British adventurism in Asia.  As he plans to replace Dost Mohammed with his own puppet.
?? 1838 Thomas Raikes writes of russias military buildup and how Russia and England would soon be at war.
? 1839 French observer Marquis de Custine writes La Russe en 1839.  It claims that the Russians seek to conquer all within their reach.
? 1839 Robert Bremmer writes in ‘Excursions in the Interior of Russia’ that wars that once Poland was secure, Circassia conquered he world try to conquer the world.
Spring 1839 The British Army of the Indus – 15000 British and Indian troops + 30000 camp followers – enters Afghanistan through the Bolan pass.  The journey is difficult.
Spring Simonich arrives in St. Petersburg.
25 april British Army arrives in Khandahar with shah Shujah at its head.  The previous ruler (Dost Mohammedso brother) flees north.
1 May 1939 Vitkevich commits suicide in st. Petersburg.
Army continues to Kabul, but encounters fortress of Ghazni.  The fortress costs the British only 17 dead, 165 wounded.  Afghans lose 500+ men.  The army resupply especially using captured stores.  Keane is given title Lord Keane of Ghazni by Queen victoria.
Summer 1839 British learn of Perovsky’s plans for an expedition to Khivva. 
30 june  Keane resumes army’s March on kabul.
July7 Keane arrives outside of Kabul.  Dost Mohammed flees and Shah Shujah takes the throne.
August 1839 Word reaches Kabul that Stoddart has been arrested in Bokhara, and a large russian contingent was on its way to khiva from orenburg.
Fall 1839 Gen. Perovsky departs from Orenburg with 5000 troops for Khivva.
November- December  Heavy snows slow Perovsky’s advance.
Dec 24 Major D’Arcy Toddler in Herat dispatches Captain James Abbott to Khivva to negotiate w/ Russia.
Early January 1840 Perovsky’s expedition has lost half of its 10,000 camels.
Late January  Less than halfway to Khivva—200 men dead, 400 sick, losing 100 camels a day.
Late january Captain James Abbott arrives in Khivva. 
29 January  Perovsky visits each column to assess it’s cOndition.
1 February  Perovsky’s orders his expedition to return home to orenburg.
7 march Khandahar of Khivva sends Abbott to St Petersburg to exchange slaves for hostages, by way of Fort Alexandrovsk  (500 miles away with Khivvan  escort)
15 may Lt. Richmond Shakespeare is sent from herat to Khivva by Major Todd.
?? Abbott arrives at ft Alexandrovsk after being kidnapped and released.
May Perovsky’s expedition returns to Orenburg with 1000 dead and only 1500 camels.
MAY,  The continental press make much of the expedition, decrying it as Russian militarism.  St Petersburg replies by pointing out British conquests around the world.
12 june Shakespeare enters khivva.
3 august Shakespeare receives promise from khan of Khivva to release the slaves (300 men, 18 women, 11 children).  He is to take them to Alexandrovsk. 
15 august Shakespeare’s party sets out for Alexandrovsk with 416 total slaves.
?? They arrive in Alexandrovsk to much celebration.
?? Shakespeare travels to Orenburg to meet with general Perovsky with orders to release Khivvan hostages (600 men) held at Orenburg and Astrakhan. 
3 september Connolly leaves Kabul for Khivva.
3 Nov  Shakespeare arrives in St Petersburg en route to London.  He is welcomed by Tsar Nicholas I.
3 November 1940 Dost Mohammed voluntarily surrenders to Macnaghten and is sent into exile in India.
August 1841 Rawlinston alerts Macnaghten to growing anti-british sentiment.
October 41 Connolly sets off for Bokhara from Kokand.  
1 November 41 Local British agent Mohan Lal warns Burnes that an attempt on his life will be made by locals enraged by British conduct in Kabul.
2 November  Afghan mob attacks Burnes’ compound.  Elphinstone and Macnaghten do nothing.  Shah Shuja sends badly led relief force that is repulsed with 200 killed.  Burnes and those in compound are massacred.
10 November 41 Captain Arthur Connolly arrives in Bokhara.
Early november  Dost Mohammed’’s son, Mohammed Akbar khan leaves Turkistan to lead rebellion around Kabul. 
2-3 November Afghans begin shelling Elphinstone’s camp w/ two field guns.  British counterattack fails with loss of 300 men.  Macnaghten and Elphinstone begin negotiations with Akbar. 
22 December  Akbar sends secret message to Macnaghten offering deal and meeting the following day.
23 december Macnaghten and his party are betrayed during a meeting with Akbar.  They are captured and he is killed.  Elphinstone fails to prevent the betrayal nor issues reprisals.
24 december Akbar sends offer to Elphinstone (p. 258).  Pottinger is sent to negotiate.
1 Jan 1842 Akbar agrees to guarantee the safety of the British as they withdraw from kabul.. 
12 Jan Elphinstone is captured by Akbar during negotiations.
13 january Last Stand of 44th Regiment of Foot at Gandamak
13 january Dr. William Brydon (only european survivor of withdrawal who wasn’t previously captured) arrives at Jalalabad on a mortally wounded pony. 
Late January Lord Auckland receives word of the massacre of Elphinstone’s army.
Early February  News of massacre reaches London.  (P. 270), St Petersburg is blamed in popular media. 
21 February  Lord Ellenborough hears news on his arrival in Madras.
31 march British Army forces the Khyber pass.
?? Shah Shuja Durrani is killed.
April  British forces arrive in Jalalabad and Khandahar. 
23 April 42 General Elphinstone dies.
August Akbar Khan’s hostages hear that he is to move them north to Turkistan.
15 sept General Pollock’s men reach Kabul.   Shujah’s son Futteh is placed on the throne.  Captain Shakespeare sent to recover hostages from Akbar Khan.  They are later recovered near Bamayan.   
11 October British begin leaving Kabul.  1st Afghan war ends.
January 1842 Futteh is overthrown.  Dost Mohammed returns to Kabul. 
17 or 24* June 42 Connolly and Stoddart killed by Emirates of Bokhara