Action at Boothak

Action at Boothak
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date:	7 January 1842
Location:	Botkhak, Kabul, Afghanistan
Presidency:	Bengal
Co-ordinates:	34.499263°N 69.352971°E
Result:	British retreat
Combatants
British & Indians	Various Afghan tribes
Commanders
Maj-Gen William Elphinstone Brigadier John Shelton	Mohammad Akbar Khan
Strength
Casualties

This was an event during the 1st Afghan War
For context see main article Retreat from Kabul to Gundamak

Bagrame to Boothak

This was the second day of the Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak. Most of the Shah's 6th Infantry deserted and parties of Afghan horse started to harass the rear of the column under Brigadier Anquetil. Much baggage and the two mountain guns were lost. Later two Horse Artillery guns had to be abandoned because the horses could no longer pull them through the snow. Only five miles were made from Bagrame to Bootkhak where Gen Elphinstone was forced to call a halt. Akbar Khan declared that he would provide supplies and protection in exchange for six hostages. This was agreed and hosilities ceased overnight. There was no food or shelter and they were at the entrance to the Khoord Kabul Pass.

Spelling Variants

Modern name: Botkhak/ Bot Khak
Variants: Boothak/Bootkhak/Buta-i-Khak

External Links

1st Afghan War Wikipedia
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
History of the War in Afghanistan Google Books
Retreat to Gandamak British Battles
Conflict at Bootkhak Google Books
Lady Sale's Account Google Books

Historical books on-line

The Kabul insurrection of 1841-42, ed. by G.B. Malleson - Action at Buta-i-Khak www.archive.org