'The views and opinions of Brigadier General John Jacob, CB. Aide-decamp to the Queen; Aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India, &c. &c. &c.; late commanding in chief the British forces in Persia; at present commanding the Sind Irregular Horse, and Political Superintendent of the North-West frontier of Sind.' [‎347] (377/481)

347
devoted to our service, and render it impossible for an
European army to approach our Indian frontiers with
hostile intent.
Ultimately, Herat might become an English fortress;
but this move would not be required for many years,
and long before it had become advisable to make it, all
Affghanistan would be devoted to us.
However, looking onward to a great European war,
with a fortress at Herat, and a garrison of 20,000 men
there (which would not necessarily involve any increase to
our Indian army, or at least to it's cost), India would be
as firmly locked in our grasp as if surrounded by the
ocean. For no invader could ever enter by any of the
paths over the Hindoo Khoosh, &c. without exposing his
flank or rear to destructive attacks from a strong force,
fresh, vigorous, and well supplied, from the garrison of
Herat.
But this is looking far forward, to the time when Russia,
having been shut out from her long-cherished schemes
towards Constantinople, shall have again matured her
preparations for advance in a new direction, and have
poured her whole strength on our Indian frontier.
At present, all that is required to be done is to ensure the
certainty of success and security on our own frontier.
*******
I have for long past thought over the subject of the
arrangements proper to secure our North-Western Fron
tier of India permanently in such a manner as to obviate
the necessity of any alarm, unusual stir, or hasty opera
tions of any kind, in consequence of movements ot enemies,
or possible enemies, from without.
At present, it appears to me that we are in a great
measure in the position of a mighty army without any