Siege of Kahan
| Siege of Kahan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42 | ||
| Date: | 11 May-29 September 1840 | |
| Location: | Kahan, Kohlu District, Baluchistan | |
| Presidency: | Bombay | |
| Co-ordinates: | 29.300004°N 68.901592°E | |
| Result: | British withdrawal | |
| Combatants | ||
| British | Marri tribes | |
| Commanders | ||
| Capt Lewis Brown | Dodah Khan | |
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
Synopsis
Captain Lewis was put in charge of a detachment to occupy the fort at Kahan in the Muree (Marri) Hills. He set out from Sukkur with Lieut Clarke of the 2nd Grenadiers reaching Poolajee (Foliji) on 8 April 1840. The field detachment noted below was waiting for him. He was ordered to send the guns to Lahri but, knowing he could not force the passes without artillery, he kept one gun. He left Poolajee on 2 May without the Pathan horse who he felt would be of limited help. The Surtoff Pass was reached on 8 May with little interference from the Baluchis and on 10 May they crested the Nuffoosk Pass where there was more resistance. Kahan Fort was occupied on 11 May.
Field detachment
- 300 bayonets 5th Regiment under Ensign Taylor
- Two 12-pounder howitzer under Lieut D Erskine
- 50 Scinde Irregular Horse
- 50 Patan Horse
- 600 camels with supplies for 4 months
Garrison
Capt Lewis Brown
- 140 Rank and file of 5th Regiment of Bombay Infantry
- One 12-pounder howitzer under Lieut D Erskine of the Artillery
Spelling Variants
Modern name:Kahan
Variants: Kahun
External Links
Captain Brown's Journal Google Books