Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai: Difference between revisions

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== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
Captain Craigie took occupation of Khela-i-Ghilzie in Novemeber 1841. At the end of the month he was reinforced by sepoys of the [[43rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]] provided by Colonel Maclaren on his return to [[Kandahar]]. In bitter winter weather the garrison worked to improve the defences and at the beginning of March they were besieged by Afghan tribesmen. The attackers dug trenches encircling the place and were able to fire from protected positions. On 21 May a major assault with scaling ladders was mounted but beaten off in a fierce battle which effectively ended the siege. When Colonel Wymer arrived with a relievibg force there was nothing to do but dismantle the fortifications and return to Kandahar.
Captain Craigie took occupation of Khela-i-Ghilzie in Novemeber 1841. At the end of the month he was reinforced by sepoys of the [[43rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]] provided by Colonel Maclaren on his return to [[Kandahar]]. In bitter winter weather the garrison worked to improve the defences and at the beginning of March they were besieged by Afghan tribesmen. The attackers dug trenches encircling the place and were able to fire from protected positions. On 21 May a major assault with scaling ladders was mounted but beaten off in a fierce battle which effectively ended the siege. When Colonel Wymer arrived with a relievibg force there was nothing to do but dismantle the fortifications and return to Kandahar.
The 3rd Regiment of Shah Shulja's Infantry was renamed the [[Regiment of Khelat-i-Ghilzie]] in recognition of its bravery. The garrison was awarded the [http://www.britishmedals.info/defence_of_kelat_i_ghilzie_medal.html Defence of Khelat-i-Ghilzie Medal].
== Garrison ==
== Garrison ==
*3rd Regiment of Shah's Infantry
*[[12th (Khelat-i-Ghilzie) Pioneers|3rd Regiment of Shah's Infantry]]
*43 European artillerymen
*43 European artillerymen
*Some Sappers and Miners
*Some Sappers and Miners
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Afghan_War 1st Afghan  War] Wikipedia<br>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Afghan_War 1st Afghan  War] Wikipedia<br>
[http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/sli/1afghan.htm 1st Afghan War] Somerset Record Office<br>
[http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/sli/1afghan.htm 1st Afghan War] Somerset Record Office<br>
[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IBEWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PAi&dq=Brigadier+Shelton&as_brr=1&ei=AFrOR-P0DJXOywT8goiwBQ#PPR1,M1 History of the War in Afghanistan] Google Books<br>
[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IBEWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA430&dq=Craigie&as_brr=1&ei=AFrOR-P0DJXOywT8goiwBQ#PPA430,M1 Siege of Khelat] Google Books<br>
[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IBEWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA430&dq=Craigie&as_brr=1&ei=AFrOR-P0DJXOywT8goiwBQ#PPA430,M1 Siege of Khelat] Google Books<br>
[http://books.google.com/books?id=ViEYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA91&dq=Kelat-i-Ghilzie&as_brr=3 Attack on Khelat-i-Ghilzie 27 May 1842] Google Books<br>
[http://books.google.com/books?id=ViEYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA91&dq=Kelat-i-Ghilzie&as_brr=3 Attack on Khelat-i-Ghilzie 27 May 1842] Google Books<br>

Revision as of 08:46, 14 April 2010

Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date: 9 March-21 May 1842
Location: Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Presidency: Bengal
Co-ordinates: 32.104205°N 66.907841°E
Result: British victory
Combatants
British & Indians Various Afghan tribes
Commanders
Capt John Halket Craigie
Strength
Casualties

Synopsis

Captain Craigie took occupation of Khela-i-Ghilzie in Novemeber 1841. At the end of the month he was reinforced by sepoys of the 43rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry provided by Colonel Maclaren on his return to Kandahar. In bitter winter weather the garrison worked to improve the defences and at the beginning of March they were besieged by Afghan tribesmen. The attackers dug trenches encircling the place and were able to fire from protected positions. On 21 May a major assault with scaling ladders was mounted but beaten off in a fierce battle which effectively ended the siege. When Colonel Wymer arrived with a relievibg force there was nothing to do but dismantle the fortifications and return to Kandahar.

The 3rd Regiment of Shah Shulja's Infantry was renamed the Regiment of Khelat-i-Ghilzie in recognition of its bravery. The garrison was awarded the Defence of Khelat-i-Ghilzie Medal.

Garrison

External Links

1st Afghan War Wikipedia
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
Siege of Khelat Google Books
Attack on Khelat-i-Ghilzie 27 May 1842 Google Books
Relief of Khelat Google Books