Page "European influence in Afghanistan" Paragraph 11

In addition to this rivalry between Britain and Russia, there were two specific reasons for British concern over Russia's intentions.

First was the Russian influence at the Iranian court, which prompted the Russians to support Iran in its attempt to take Herat, historically the western gateway to Afghanistan and northern India.

In 1837 Iran advanced on Herat with the support and advice of Russian officers.

The second immediate reason was the presence in Kabul in 1837 of a Russian agent, Captain P. Vitkevich, who was ostensibly there, as was the British agent Alexander Burnes, for commercial discussions.