The British historian showcases the first Afghan War invaded by the British through this historical marvel. The heart-wrenching events from 1839 to 1842 are highlighted for history lovers descriptively yet briefly. Shah Shuja’s exile from his throne to it’s reclamation is the crux of this awesome read. For several years he lived in North India as a fugitive post his ejection. With the help of the Britishers how Shah Shuja goes about it strategizing his return igniting local sentiment and concerns along the way makes it a juicy book. The book also throws light on the various humiliations faced by the invaders in the 19th century. This period was a challenging time for the Britishers as the sole intention was to leave an impact on the South Asian countries and while pursuing it pushed them to the crisis too. Through the exiled king Shah Shuja, Britishers wanted to spread their wings and have a hold on Afghanistan that got foiled due to bad planning and leadership. After invading Afghanistan and evicting Dost Mohammad, the then ruler of Kabul from their path, Britishers with an Indian army as its strength eyed Afghanistan and war broke out when Afghans stood their ground firmly. They did manage to occupy Shah Shuja’s throne and placed him for their own benefits but the Afghans rebelled against them thus cementing it in history as Britisher’s biggest ever failure. Colonial ambitious streaks of Britishers and Afghans make it a gripping read thus giving insights of the brigadiers, commanders, and their wives who add to the retelling of Britain’s greatest defeat. William Dalrymple has aced it yet again.