The Governor-General who followed a spirited Forward policy towards Afghanistan was

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Q: 72 (IAS/1999)
The Governor-General who followed a spirited “Forward” policy towards Afghanistan was

question_subject: 

History

question_exam: 

IAS

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The Governor-General who followed a spirited "Forward" policy towards Afghanistan was Lord Lytton.

Lord Lytton, whose full name was Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, served as the Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880. During his tenure, he pursued a policy known as the "Forward" policy, which aimed to extend British influence and control in the region, particularly towards Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The policy was driven by concerns over Russian expansion in the region and the desire to establish a buffer zone between British India and Russian territories. Lord Lytton sought to strengthen British alliances with neighboring princely states and exert British influence over the rulers of Afghanistan.

However, the "Forward" policy faced significant challenges and setbacks, including the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878-1880. The war ended with a British withdrawal and the signing of the Treaty of Gandamak in 1879, which established British control over Afghan foreign affairs but allowed Afghanistan to maintain internal autonomy.

Therefore, Lord Lytton is known for his spirited pursuit of the "Forward" policy towards Afghanistan during his tenure as Governor-General of India.