Contents : 1. Introducing the bone of contention. II. India restive under machine rule. III. Loosening the bonds of empire. IV. Evolution and effects of tzardom. V. An object-lesson in bad government. VI. The Afghans and their country. VII. Four divisions of Afghanistan. VIII. England and Russia in central Asia. IX. Administration of our north-western frontier. X. Independent tribes within our political frontier. XI. Attack and Defence. XII. The difficulties of a great adventure. XIII. The end of a buffer state. XIV. A short summing up. Appendix. Publications read or consulted. Index.