Persian War of 1856-57

Anglo–Persian War
Battle of Kooshab (1856) by unknown artist
Date 1 November 1856–4 April 1857 (5 months and 3 days) Location Southern Persia (Iran), southern Mesopotamia; western Afghanistan, British India Result Treaty of Paris British retreat from Persia, Persian withdrawal from Herat
Belligerents
Emirate of Afghanistan United Kingdom East India Company	Persia
Commanders and leaders
Sir James Outram Amir Dost Mohammad Khan	Nasser al-Din Shah
Strength
Redcoat Infantry, 21st Brigade Sepoys, Indian Sapper brigade, Pooha Cavalry	Regiments of East Persian Militia, Royal Qajar Guard, Persian Gendarmerie, Persian Topchi Batteries, Southern Persian Army
Casualties and losses
1535 killed at Herat	70 killed at Khushab

The Anglo–Persian War lasted between November 1, 1856 and April 4, 1857, and was fought between Great Britain and Persia (which was at the time ruled by the Qajar dynasty). In the war, the British opposed an attempt by Persia to press its claim on the city of Herat. Though Herat had been part of Persia under the Qajar dynasty at the time the war broke out, it had declared itself independent under its own rebellious emir and placed itself under the protection of the British in India and in alliance with the Emirate of Kabul (the forebear of the modern state of Afghanistan). The British campaign was successfully conducted under the leadership of Major General Sir James Outram in two theatres—on the southern coast of Persia near Bushehr and in southern Mesopotamia. The war resulted in Persia withdrawing from Herat and signing a new treaty in which it surrendered its claims on the city, and the British withdrawing from southern Persia.

In the context of the Great Game—the Anglo–Russian contest for influence in Central Asia—the British wished for Afghanistan to remain an independent country friendly to Britain as a buffer against Russian expansion towards India. They opposed an extension of Persian influence in Afghanistan because of the perception that Persia was unduly influenced by the Russians. The Persian influence on Central Asia had caused the creation of Greater Iran; while knowing of the influence, the British had never attacked Persia. Persia had over 12 foreign provinces under its imperial control. They made a fresh attempt in 1856, and succeeded in taking Herat on 25 October, in violation of the existing Anglo-Persian treaty. In response, the British Governor-General in India, acting on orders from London, declared war on 1 November.

Separate from and preceding the dispute over Herat was an incident concerning one Meerza Hashem Khan, whom the British ambassador hoped to appoint as a secretary in the mission in Teheran. The Persians objected, creating a dispute that escalated when rumours appeared that the British ambassador had improper relations with the man's wife, who was the sister of the Shah's principal wife. The dispute escalated still further when the Persians arrested the woman; the British ambassador broke relations when they refused to release her. Indeed, the initial mobilisation of British forces began in response to this incident, although it is unlikely that the British would have gone beyond the occupation of one or two islands in the Persian Gulf had the issue of Herat not arisen.

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