‘Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, thus says the popular adage. The mighty British empire in its heyday exercised special vigilance in safeguarding the security and safety of India, the most precious jewel of its crown. The British rulers, like Indra, the jealous sovereign of gods in Hindu mythology, were exceptionally wary lest some more shrewd and enterprising rival should dislodge them from their most precious possession. During the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries the British colonial power of India was busy expanding its dominions and consolidating its territorial gains by imparting to them a semblance of stable administration. In its North, North-West and North-East the petty mountain kingdoms and turbulent frontier tribes, from time to time, made outrageous raids into the British territories either for territorial expansion or for sheer plunder. In view of this the British military authorities organised and carried out successfully a number of expeditions against these intruders which humbled their pride and made them behave as civilised neighbours. During the same period, the colonial power of U.K. spread its tentacles to far-flung areas of the world. So when its authority was challenged in any of them, specially in Asia and Africa, it used to avail of the services of the British Indian Army to suppress any uprising. Under instructions from the colonial power in U.K., the overseas expeditions used to be despatched from India to nip the mischief-mongers in the bud. These frontier and overseas expeditions have a chequered history and realising their importance for posterity, their history was collated, compiled and published for the first time in 1908 by the Intelligence Branch of the Chief of Staff of the old British Army Head Quarters stationed at Simla. It is an exciting history which runs into seven volumes as per details appended below. Besides the frontier expeditions, the history as recorded in these volumes also covers the different overseas expeditions to such far off places as China in the East and to Malta and Cyprus in the West. The first three volumes in the series are developed to the turbulent tribes inhabiting the North-West Frontier of India such as the Pathans, the Baluchis, the Afridis, the Bannuchis, the Brahus, the Wazirs, the Mohamands, the Gujars and many others who have been a source of constant irritation to the old colonial power. The Frontier of British territories was determined by the Durand Agreement which implied that there were two boundary lines—one of British Administration and the other of British influence. Among the major tribes which receive special attention in these volumes are the Afghans, the Baluchis and the Afridis. The Pathans have been described as “thieves and predatory to the last degree. The Pathan mother often prays that her son may be a successful robber._____The proverb says the Pathan in one moment is saint and in the next a devil”. The Baluch has been described as “a thief by tradition and descent for he says ‘God will not favour a Baluch who does not steal and rob’. Afridi’s character has been described “as ‘ruthless’; cowardly robbery and cold blooded treacherous murder are to an Afridi the salt of life”. The second Part of the Third Volume gives an exciting account of First Afghan War which, in the end, proved an overwhelming disaster for the British arms. The Russophobia of the then British Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston and the incompetence and arrogance of Governor General Lord Auckland are largely responsible for Afghan debacle. The surrender of Emir Dost Mohammed in 1840 and the restoration of unpopular king Shah Shuja to the throne of Kabul, with the help of the British Indian army of 21,000, proved a blunder. Smug in the belief that everything is peaceful, an army, of 10,000 was left behind in Kabul and the rest returned to India. By the end of October of 1841, the entire country was up in arms. On 6th July, 1842, the British forces together with-women and children began their retreat relying on the promises of Afghan Chiefs. The only survivor to reach Jalalabeed safe and to convey the tragic news was Dr. Brydon; all others were massacred. The final phase of first Afghan war describes the action taken under North and Pollock to avenge British defeat. Kabul was re-occupied on 15.9.1842, the guilty were duly punished and the surviving British hostages were evacuated. Dost Mohammed was restored to his throne and the British army returned to India. This volume, like other volumes in the series, is indispensable to all students of history. It contains information of strategic importance which makes it a valuable guide to military Scientists, and Defence personnel who might be required to deal with such turbulent neighbours or face such perilous situations. Further the valuable data and vital information contained therein has the potential of inspiring many a preserving and prolific writer to attempt some original works of more lasting interest on the same subject.