Edge of Empire

Tripodi, Christian

doi:10.4324/9781315578774

Cited by 5 publications

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“…36 This experience had certainly made him a great admirer of that earlier and highly successful 'man on the spot', Sir Robert Sandeman. Dobbs admired both Sandeman's 'tribal system'-creating a community of interest through subsidies and the power of patronage 37 -and his readiness to use force. 38 Dobbs accordingly wanted to see India bring the frontier tribes under control "and do away with our heel of Achilles".…”

Section: The Chief Negotiator's Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…46 Moreover, the fact that Afghanistan was now a sovereign independent state making its own diplomatic agreements created a direct link between tribal, frontier and international diplomatic issues. 47 Dobbs' apparent sensitivity to the contemporary international dimension was in part a likely result of his time as a political officer in Mesopotamia (later Iraq) where he had frequent contacts with politicians and diplomats. Once the Allies had accepted the principle of self-determination, Dobbs believed the movement towards self-government to be inevitable.…”

Section: The Chief Negotiator's Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The 1921 Anglo-Afghan Treaty: How Britain's ‘man on the spot’ shaped this agreement

Wilks¹

2018

JRAS

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This article explores the part played by Sir Henry Dobbs, the ‘man on the spot’, in shaping the 1921 Anglo-Afghan Treaty. The treaty provisions being negotiated were important to the security of the Indian frontier, internally and internationally, as they defined the formal relationship between India and Afghanistan right through until Indian independence. In contrast with existing accounts, the analysis presented here contends that Dobbs did have a significant influence both on the negotiating process and on the eventual result. It demonstrates how in his role as chief negotiator Dobbs drew on experience and techniques that he had earlier acquired as a political officer in frontier areas. His aim seems to have been to influence matters so that the treaty would deliver on what he regarded as important while giving away nothing that he thought damaging. The article thus sheds light on how—in a novel and volatile context—Dobbs handled differing views in London and Delhi, and negotiated with the Amir. Given the necessary authority by the British Government, he finally arrived at an agreement accepted by the various parties—Afghans, the Viceroy and the British Government in London. The source for this revised perspective on the negotiations and fuller understanding of his role are Dobbs’ recently-discovered letters and private papers, previously unavailable to historians, together with a re-examination of official sources prompted by this new material.

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Section: The Chief Negotiator's Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Chief Negotiator's Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%