EP061 DON’T CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER

INDIA SERIES 08 Happy 2025, and welcome back! In this episode, we conclude our deep dive into the 1st Anglo-Afghan War with one of the most infamous military disasters of the Victorian era—the catastrophic retreat from Kabul in 1842. As British forces, led by the indecisive General Elphinstone, attempted to escape through the freezing Khyber Pass, they faced relentless Afghan attacks, starvation, and total collapse. Episode Highlights:🔹 The disastrous leadership of General Elphinstone and Sir William MacNaughten.❄️ The brutal winter retreat and the suffering of British troops and civilians.⚔️ The last stand at Gandamak—courage, chaos, and ultimate defeat.🏇 The survival of Dr. William Brydon and the myths surrounding the retreat.🌍 How this catastrophe shaped Victorian imperial policies and perceptions of Afghanistan. Key Takeaways: * Leadership failure can turn a bad situation into a total catastrophe. * The realities of empire-building were far bloodier and more chaotic than the myths suggest. * The First Anglo-Afghan War left a lasting legacy, shaping British military thinking for years to come. Next Episode Teaser:Stay tuned as we explore the British response to this defeat—because when an empire stumbles, it rarely stays down for long. Host’s Note:Thank you for your ongoing support! If you’re enjoying the series, please leave a review and consider joining our Patreon community.

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The Victorians were the first truly world wide, high speed, high tech civilisation, but they are often misunderstood. Your host, Chris Fernandez-Packham, will bust popular myths, cover events around the world, and focus on a people centric history. You will see how the Victorians shaped the world, changing it from the age of horse, musket, cannon and sail to the age of steam, rifle and iron in this monthly podcast with regular special episodes and bonus content. You will learn about Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Volcanoes, Famines, great art, geography and so much more. You will discover how the Victorians changed our landscapes, and mastered new energy forms that have led us to move from being a part of the natural world to shapers of it. You will learn how the modern world was created by the actions of the Victorians. You will learn how the Victorians gave birth to our modern understanding of weather, climate, history and even time and space.