The Great Game: British-Russian Rivalry in Central Asia

The Great Game (19th century) was a geopolitical struggle between the British and Russian Empires for control of Central Asia, especially Afghanistan. Britain feared Russian expansion threatened India; Russia sought warm-water ports and great-power status. The rivalry involved diplomacy, proxy wars (Anglo-Afghan Wars, Crimean War), and espionage. It ended with the 1907 Anglo-Russian Convention defining spheres of influence.