Sikunder Burnes: Master of the Great Game

This is the first full biography of Alexander Burnes (1805-1841), from his humble origins in Montrose (the great nephew of Robert Burns), to his entry to the East India Company and his work as a political agent in India and Afghanistan.This is an astonishing true tale of espionage, journeys in disguise, secret messages, double agents, assassinations and sexual intrigue. as Britain strove with Russia for control of Central Asia and the routes to the Raj. There are many lessons for the present day in this tale of the folly of invading Afghanistan and Anglo-Russian tensions in the Caucasus. Murray’s meticulous study has unearthed original manuscripts from Montrose to Mumbai to put together a detailed study of how British secret agents operated in India, revealing Burnes as a figure of broad intellectual range, with a respect for local culture and a lack of racism out of tune with the mood of the day.

Reviews of Sikunder Burnes: Master of the Great Game

'Murray's book is a terrific read. He has done full justice to the life of a remarkable British hero, without ignoring his faults' – Daily Mail; 'If you are a fan of the Flashman series of books, you will be gripped by the story of this British spy' – Hannah Ferret, The Sun; 'This is a fascinating book … his research has been prodigious, both in libraries and on foot. He knows a huge amount about Burnes's life and work' – Allan Massie, The Scotsman