nadir shah and the afghans, 1732–47and far less costly than another invasion. Maintaining ‘Abd al-Rahman
Khan on the throne became the keystone of Britain’s Defence of India
policy, and in recognition of this ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan was made a Knight
Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India in 1885 and in 1893
he was elevated to a Knight of the Order of the Bath.
For many Afghans – particularly Hazaras, Uzbeks and Aimaqs –
however, the Amir’s legacy was far more bitter, and while Britain justified
the repressive regime of the Iron Amir as a necessary evil, to those who
were forced to endure his reign he was, and still is, the Bloody Amir.