Battle of Tunghi Tarika
| Battle of Tunghi Tarika | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42 | ||
| Date: | 10 January 1842 | |
| Location: | Tunghi Tarika Pass, Afghanistan | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | approx 34.438208°N 69.440216°E | |
| Result: | British retreat | |
| Combatants | ||
| British & Indians | Various Afghan tribes | |
| Commanders | ||
| Brigadier John Shelton | Akbar Khan | |
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
Tungee Tareekee Pass
January 10.--At break of day all was again confusion, every one hurrying to the front, and dreading above all things to be left in the rear. The Europeans were the only efficient men left, the Hindostanees having suffered so severely from the frost in their hands and feet, that few could hold a musket, much less pull a trigger. The enemy had occupied the rocks above the gorge, and thence poured a destructive fire upon the column as it slowly advanced. Fresh numbers fell at every volley. The sepoys, unable to use their arms, cast them away, and, with the followers, fled for their lives.
"The Affghans now rushed down upon their helpless and
unresisting victims sword in hand, and a general massacre took
place. The last small remnant of the native infantry regiments
were here scattered and destroyed; and the public treasure,
with all the remaining baggage, fell into the hands of the
enemy. Meanwhile, the advance, after pushing through the Tungee
with great loss, had reached Kubbur-i-Jubbar, about five miles
a-head, without more opposition. Here they halted to enable the
rear to join, but, from the few stragglers who from time to
time came up, the astounding truth was brought to light, that
of all who had that morning marched from Khoord-Cabul they were
almost the sole survivors, nearly the whole of the main and
rear columns having been cut off and destroyed. About 50
horse-artillerymen, with one twelve-pounder howitzer, 70 files
H.M.'s 44th, and 150 cavalry troopers, now composed the whole
Cabul force; but, notwithstanding the slaughter and dispersion
that had taken place, the camp-followers still formed a
considerable body."
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 1843
External Links
Wikipedia - 1st Afghan War
Somerset Record Office - 1st Afghan War
Google Books - History of the War in Afghanistan
British Battles - Retreat to Gandamak
Google Books - Action in the Tungee Tareekee Pass
Google Books - Casualties in the Tungee Turreekee Pass