Lord Auckland (1836-1842)

Introduction #

Lord Auckland presided as India’s governor general from 1836 until 1842. The first Anglo-Afghan war, which took place during his leadership, severely damaged British prestige in India. He was described as India’s most unsuccessful governor general and is infamous for his mistakes throughout the Afghan wars. In 1814, he ascended to his father’s baronies. Before being chosen as the new Tory prime minister and governor-general of India in 1835 by his friend Lord Melbourne, Whig Party member Auckland served as the Board of Trade president and first lord of the Admiralty. 

Significant Events During Auckland Tenure #

The Great Game  #

The Great Game, the geopolitical competition and conflict between the British Empire and the Russian Empire for dominance in Central Asia, had its origins in Afghanistan, which was situated between British India and Russian India. 

• The British attempted to extend their interference in Afghanistan out of fear of a Russian strike and due to Russia’s hegemonic status.
• Dost Muhammad Khan, however, wished to reclaim Peshawar from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The British had a buddy in Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

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Treaty Of Lahore (1846) #

The principle “Enemy’s enemy is Friend” served as the foundation for this Anglo-Sikh friendship.

• In that pact, the British and Sikhs basically promised not to support one another’s enemies and not to meddle in one another’s business. 
• This relationship remained intact until Ranjit Singh’s passing in 1839.
• Lord Auckland was in a pickle since he couldn’t afford to sacrifice Ranjit Singh for the favour of Dost Mohammad Khan.

First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842) And Tripartite Treaty (1838) #

Ranjit Singh, Shah Shuja, and Lord Auckland came to a tripartite agreement in June 1838. This trilateral agreement’s primary goal was for the parties to help one another out in times of need.

• In the end, Dost Mohammad was recognised as the Emir of Afghanistan and the British were forced to sign a humiliating pact on his behalf. 
• As a result, Lord Auckland’s baffling First Anglo-Afghan War plan resulted in the deaths of thousands of British (Indian) soldiers and a financial loss of billions of rupees.

Conclusion #

As a politician, he committed himself to enhancing native educational institutions and growing India’s business sector. On the other side, the Afghan campaign was a total failure. Despite his mistakes in Afghanistan, Auckland was a superb governor-general of India. He advocated for the use of the local language in school, expanded training in the professions, and expanded irrigation, believing that they were the most feasible steps for India’s advancement. He once more rose to the position of first lord of the admiralty in 1846, which he retained until his passing.

Aukland FAQs #

Q1. What part did Lord Auckland play in shaping modern India?

Ans. From 1836 to 1842, Lord Auckland presided as the governor-general of India. During his rule, the first Anglo-Afghan war significantly damaged British authority in India. He has been termed India’s most catastrophic Governor-General and is infamous for his errors throughout the Afghan wars.

Q2. When did Lord Auckland take office as governor-general?

Ans. Auckland was chosen to serve as governor-general in 1836. From 1836 to 1842, he held the title Earl of Auckland George Eden. The first Anglo-Afghan war was waged during his rule. He is recognised for boosting India’s economic activity.

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Q3. What long-term plan did Auckland have?

Ans. A Forward Policy is a collection of foreign policy doctrines that deal with territorial aspirations and conflicts, with an emphasis on annexing targeted areas by invasion and political construction of compliant buffer states.