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Great Game

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"Afghanistan and her relation to British and Russian territories" 1885 American map of Central Asia, Afghanistan and the areas controlled by Britain and Russia

The Great Game was a strong rivalry between the British and Russian Empires over influence in Central Asia in the 19th Century. This rivalry mainly focused on Afghanistan, Persia, and later Tibet. Both empires used a mix of military force and diplomatic talks to gain both influence and control in Central and South Asia.[1] The Russian Empire took control of Turkestan, while Britain grew its influence in the Region and set the borders of Britsh Colonial India.[2] As the 20th century approached, a number of independent nations, tribes and monarchies from the Caspian Sea to the Eastern Himalayas became protectorates or came under direct control by the two empires.

References

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  1. Hopkirk, Peter (1994). The great game: the struggle for empire in Central Asia. New York: Kodansha. ISBN 978-1-56836-022-5.
  2. Becker, Seymour (2004). Russia's protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865 - 1924. Central Asian studies series (Re-issue ed.). London: RoutledgeCurzon. ISBN 978-0-415-32803-6.