The Russians at the Gates of Herat

Book excerpt: In 1885 Russia moved to take the Afghan city of Herat, which the British regarded as the "key of India". Marvin wrote and published this emergency international affairs analysis in eight days. His purpose was to garner support from the British government for military action--up to and including war--against Russia before it took Herat. Marvin believed that the Russians were aiming for India and his analysis is framed as such. At the time of writing, Russia had not yet taken Herat, so Marvin briefly describes the history of the movements leading up to it, followed by a warning of the dangers not only Russian occupation, but Russian railroads would have for the security of India. Marvin also briefly describes Afghanis--a description that denies their ability to control the country because of their tribal differences.