First Herat War

The First Herat War (Persian: جنگ اول هرات, romanized: Jang-e Avval-e Herāt, 1837–1838) was an attack on the Principality of Herat by Qajar Iran during the Great Game. Herat was held by Kamran Shah and his vizier Yar Mohammad Khan Alakozai. The Shah of Persia was Mohammed Shah Qajar. Four Europeans were involved: the British, Sir John McNeill and Eldred Pottinger as well as the Russians, Count Simonich and Yan Vitkevich. Sher Mohammad Khan Hazara, an ally of Kamran and chieftain of the Qala-e Naw Hazaras, helped form a Sunni confederacy of Aimaq, Turkman, and Uzbek tribes and played a crucial role in defending Herat when the city was besieged. The siege ended when neither side gained a clear advantage, the British threatened to take military action and the Russians withdrew their support.

First Herat War
Part of The Great Game

A Qajar lacquer book cover depicting preparations for the Siege of Herat.
Date13 November 1837–9 September 1838
(9 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location34°22′25.86″N 62°10′45.05″E
Result Persian withdrawal
Belligerents

Emirate of Herat
 East India Company


Supported by:
 British Empire
Aimaq tribesmen
Maimana Khanate
Andkhui Khanate
Sheberghan Khanate
Sar-i Pul Khanate
Bukhara Emirate
Khiva Khanate

Persia


Supported by:
 Russian Empire
Principality of Qandahar
Commanders and leaders
Yar Mohammad Khan Alakozai
Strength

~ 45,000 total troops

  • Bombay Army: 500
  • Afghan Army: 22,000
  • Sunni Confederacy: 15,000

Ships:

  • HMS Semiramis

40,000 total troops

  • Persian Army (Oct. 1837): 30,000+
  • Reinforcements (Jan. 1838): 10,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Location within Afghanistan
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