What was Lawrence of Arabia doing in Afghanistan? - Untold Lives Blog

Overview

• The blog post investigates a lesser-known period in the life of Thomas Edward Lawrence, commonly known as Lawrence of Arabia.
• It focuses on his activities in India and Afghanistan, a topic not frequently covered in other narratives about his life.

Key Details

T.E. Lawrence's Time in India

• Lawrence spent two years in a remote area of India.
• He was enrolled in the Royal Air Force (RAF) under the pseudonym T.E. Shaw.
• Worked as an office clerk at Miranshah to avoid publicity.
• His role involved mundane tasks like learning to type-write.
• Corresponded with Charlotte Shaw (wife of George Bernard Shaw) on various topics, from literature to politics.

Lawrence in Afghanistan

• There were rumors of Lawrence acting as a self-appointed agent provocateur in Afghanistan.
• Descriptions depict him in traditional Oriental attire, mingling with the local tribes.
• Allegedly distributed money and arms to tribes, inciting them against King Amanullah of Afghanistan.
• His activities raised suspicion of involvement in the insurgence that led to King Amanullah's overthrow.

Official Observations

• Gilbert C. G. Lewis, a soldier in the Indian Army, provided insights into Lawrence's activities through a letter in 1928.
• The India Office had no official records of Lawrence's exact whereabouts or activities despite attempts to monitor him.

Conclusion

• Lawrence was ordered back to England by the Foreign Office shortly after the Afghan king was overthrown.
• The blog raises the question of whether Lawrence was behind the engineered insurgence in Afghanistan.

Further Reading

• References to several India Office Records and Foreign Office Research Notes document Lawrence's alleged secret missions in Afghanistan.

Curator: Xiao Wei Bond, India Office Private Papers.

Posted by Margaret Makepeace on August 16, 2012.

Tags: Conflict, Journeys, Politics