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During the first Afghan war (1839-1842), the British overextended themselves and were forced to pull back. After that, they focused less on expansion and more on defense. In 1857, members of the Bengal army that controlled northern India mutinied. Many people died, and the British suffered a severe blow. The British crown took control of the army, which had been under the authority of the East-India Company. Despite their lack of success during the first Afghan war and their focus on defense, the British once again headed for Kabul. The second Afghan war did not go well for the British, and once again they failed to gain more than temporary control of Kabul.

In 1887, the British strengthened the Bengal army by adding a regiment of Hindus from the Rajput hill states. This new regiment was called the 37th Dogras. The homogeneous composition of the group was a result of the British belief that segregation would help prevent another widespread mutiny. In the remaining years of the 19th century, the 37th Dogras participated in expeditions in several parts of the northwest frontier. The Tochi Valley was one of the areas in the frontier that caused problems for the British. It was one of the main routes to Afghanistan, and after the Waziristan Expedition in 1894, the valley's main posts, including Idak, Miran Shah, and Datta Khel, were garrisoned by British troops. The British continued to fight in the valley until 1901, when Viceroy Lord Curzon removed the British troops and replaced them with tribal militia. By 1924, the British were once again at war with Afghanistan.