The Guardian
08/28/2002
By Linda MacDonald

1880s As the British and Russian imperial powers compete for influence in central Asia, Afghanistan is caught between the empires. British fears over Russian advances culminate in the first Anglo-Afghan wars, in 1839-42. The British invading forces are destroyed. A second war from 1878-90 is sparked by the Afghan king's refusal to accept a British mission in Kabul. This time the British forces capture Kabul but withdraw in 1880 after the new king agrees to surrender control of his foreign policy in return for London's recognition
1893 The British establish the boundaries of what will become modern Afghanistan

1919 Afghanistan declares total independence from Britain. Fighting breaks out, and London relinquishes control over Afghan foreign affairs by signing the Treaty of Rawalpindi in August 1919. Afghans celebrate independence on August 19

1920s The British embassy compound in Kabul is built under the instructions of Lord Curzon, the foreign secretary and former viceroy of India

1979 The last resident British ambassador leaves as Soviet troops invade, though diplomats are able to return to the embassy intermittently during the 10-year Soviet occupation

1989 The embassy is abandoned as civil war looms in the wake of the Soviet withdrawal

1996 The fighting intrudes when a rocket hits a tree and explodes, killing the embassy's carpenter

November 18 2001 British troops secure the compound

November 20 2001 A senior diplomat, Stephen Evans, arrives in Kabul to make preparations to reopen the embassy

December 2001 As the new government is sworn in Britain officially reopens its embassy