Battle of Istalif

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Battle of Istalif
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date: 29 September 1842
Location: Estalef, Afghanistan
Presidency: Bengal
Co-ordinates: 34.833330°N 69.133330°E
Result: British victory
Combatants
British & Indians Various Afghan tribes
Commanders
Maj Gen George Pollock
Maj Gen John McCaskill
Amin Ullah Khan Loghuri
Strength
Casualties

This was an event during the 1st Afghan War
For context see main article Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Synopsis

Following the reoccupation of Kabul the last remnants of the hostile Afghan tribes were a threat to the intended withdrawal. General Pollock sent Maj-Gen McCaskill north to Istalif where he defeated the Afghans. Those who did not escape were killed and the town partially destroyed.

Field Force

Artillery

  • Capt Backhouse's Mountain Train
  • Capt Blood's Battery of 9 pounders (Bombay)
  • Two 18 pounders

Cavalry

  • HQ and two squadrons HM Light Dragoons
  • Capt Christie's Corps of Cavalry

Infantry

  • Brig Tulloch's Brigade except 60th N.I.
  • Capt Broadfoot's Sappers and Miners
  • Brig Stacy's Brigade

External Links

1st Afghan War Wikipedia
Action at Istalif Google Books
McCaskill's despatch Google Books

Historical books on-line

History of the War in Afghanistan Vol III (1841-1842) by John William Kaye Revised Edition (1858) Battle of Istalif Google Books
History of the Afghans by Joseph Pierre Ferrier 1858 Outrages at Istalif Google Books