The Game of Asia refers to the period roughly stretching between the Napoleonic Wars and the Global War. The Game of Asia references the great diplomatic struggle between Russia and Britain for influence in Asia. The extent of the area and events encompassed by the Game of Asia is ill defined and varies depending on the historian referenced. For example, some authors will include the Pacific region in their definitions, such as the wrangling over the Hawaiian Islands by Russia and Britain. Most authors do not go so far, however, and see the easternmost extent of the Game of Asia as the Japanese Islands. The westernmost extent was fairly easily defined by the border of the Ottoman Empire on the Asian continent. The histories of the Japanese Islands, the Chinas, and the Indian Subcontinent are often described in detail, but those of Central Asia are equally worthy of comment, even if less known.
In the first phase of the Game of Asia, the Russians had small but steady encroachments upon Persia, with Britain acting as a mediating influence and supporter of Persian autonomy for the most part. However, British support for Persia's other feared neighbor, the Ottomans, and then the growing British support for the
Durrani Empire. Things changed in the second phase of the Game of Asia after the Russian reversals in Europe during the Liberal War and later the chaos of the Russian succession. Russia advanced more openly and agressively in Central Asia, adding such protectorates as Samarkand, Bukhara, Kokand, and Khiva to the Russian Empire. At the same time Persia negotiated with Russia for a stable border, hoping instead to point the Russian bear towards the Durrani Empire, and of course, the Ottoman Empire. Relations with Britain cooled in the meantime.
When the Global War broke out, the Persians joined the Russians in attacking the borders of the Ottoman Empire, both with their own army equipped and 'advised' by Russians. At the same time the Russians sent troops into the Durrani Empire in an attempt to close on British India. The Durrani Graveyard would be referred to in Russian song for decades to come. While many Russians lost their lives in the Global War, they rarely did with so little to show for it as in the Durrani Empire.
