Britain felt its interests in India were threatened when the Russian Tsar's armies advanced into Central Asia following the Crimean War. This eventually led to a British invasion of Afghanistan in November 1878, supported by a siege train and over twenty batteries of field artillery and mountain-guns. The reverse design of this campaign medal depicts the scene. The colours of the ribbon are said to be symbolic - the crimson representing the heraldic colour of Great Britain, the green the sacred colour of the Prophet Mohammed. This medal was awarded to Private J Miland of the 59th Foot Regiment.