Russian commercial relations with Afghanistan in the markets of Central Asia (second half of the XVIII - first half of the XIX centuries)

The strengthening of the Durrani Empire promoted the development of both internal and foreign trade of the Afghans. From the beginning of the XIX century Russian tradesmen showed heightened interest in the Afghan market. However, many reasons, such as openly hostile position of England, difficult relations of Russia with the Khivan Khanate, whose territory the trading ways to Afghanistan passed though, the absence of reliable information about the country prevented from the establishment of trade and economic relations between two empires. That is why commercial relations among people of two countries were carried out in the markets of Central Asia and did not stop throughout the second half of XVIII - XIX centuries.