ANGLO-PERSIAN WAR 1856-57
“THE BRITISH MADE THEIR PREPARATIONS FOR AN ASSAULT RIGHT UNDER THE EYES OF THE PERSIAN DEFENDERS. THIS SIGHT MUST HAVE BEEN A FRIGHTENING ONE, AS THE 2,000 STRONG GARRISON ABRUPTLY SURRENDERED”
During the 19th century, Britain believed Persia was heavily influenced by Russia. Persia had clashed with Russia during the Russo-Persian Wars of 1804-13 and 1826-1828, both ending in Russian victory and the ceding of Persian territory to the victor. By 1828, Russia effectively controlled the Caucasus and forced Persia to allow a Russian fleet in the Caspian Sea. Russia also effectively diminished Britain’s own standing in the region, raising tensions between the two powers during the Great Game.
Persia had slipped into a state of economic exhaustion and political anarchy during the 1830s. Desperate to restore some of
