Why did British wanted to colonize/conquer Afghanistan?

[Forreigner]

Thank God for bravery of ancient Afghans, Afghans were one of the few nations on this earth not to be colonized by British or other European powers. We lost Pashtun and Baloch lands to British Raj, but at least Afghanistan itself was never colonized/conquered.

But what was the purpose of British invasion of Loy Afghanistan?

Perhaps they want access to central Asia? Doesn't make sense since most of central Asia was part of Russian empire:

[vsdoc]

Warm water ports.

Afghanistan was just in the way.

Cheers, Doc

[Forreigner]

Warm water ports.

Afghanistan was just in the way.

Cheers, Doc

which warm water ports? are you refering to the Black Sea?

even if it got Afghanistan, the Black Sea is still terrible long distance away from Afghanistan, they would've needede to take Iran and Turkey (Ottoman Empire) as well to reach the Black Sea, and even then I am pretty sure a clash with Russia would've started since they had direct access to the Black Sea beside Ottomans and Iran.

[vsdoc]

which warm water ports? are you refering to the Black Sea?

even if it got Afghanistan, the Black Sea is still terrible long distance away from Afghanistan, they would've needede to take Iran and Turkey (Ottoman Empire) as well to reach the Black Sea, and even then I am pretty sure a clash with Russia would've started since they had direct access to the Black Sea beside Ottomans and Iran.

The British did not need the ports. The Russians did (and still do).

The British did not need the Russians close to their jewel in the crown.

India. And the hugely profitable opium trade.

Things haven't changed so much 200 years on don't you think?

Cheers, Doc