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 34.413401°N 69.4837°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
Tunghi Tarika to Kattar Sang
This was the fifth day of the Retreat from Kabul to Gandamak. The advance guard consisting of 100 men of HM 44th Regiment and 50 troopers of the 5th Cavalry proceeded a couple of miles to Tunghi Tarika, a narrow gorge between two hills. The Afghans on the heights opened fire on the main column and dead and dying choked the gorge. The sepoys threw away their weapons and fled along with the camp followers. A massacre followed which destroyed the remnants of the Native Infantry regiments. The public treasure and the remains of the baggage were lost. The advance guard reached Kabar-i-Jabar five miles ahead and waited but the greater part of the main and rear columns had been cut off and destroyed. Now only 50 Horse Artillerymen with a 12-pounder, 75 files of HM 44th Regiment and 150 cavalry troopers were left with the remnant of the camp followers.
Akbar Khan proposed that the remaining troops lay down their arms and put themselves under his protection. As this meant leaving the camp followers to their fate, Gen Elphinstone refused. The desperate march resumed for another 5 miles until they reached the Huft Kotal and a descent through a narrow defile. Brigadier Shelton commanded the rearguard under heavy fire which took many more lives.The Tezin valley was reached at 4 pm.
All hope of assistance from Akbar Khan was given up and the General determined to make an overnight dash for Jugdulluk some 24 miles away. Starting at 7 pm they made the 7 miles to Seh Baba without serious opposition. From then on, through Barik-ab, heavy fire was encountered until they reached Kattar Sang at 8 am. They were still 10 miles short of Jugdulluk.
Named casualties
- Maj. Swayne - killed
- Capt. Miles - killed
- Lieut. Deas - killed
- Lieut. Alexander - killed
- Lieut. Warren - killed
- Lieut Tombs - wounded
- Capt Hopkins - arm broken by a musket ball
- Maj. Ewart, commanding 54th Native Infantry - both arms broken by bullets
- Lieut. Morrieson, adjutant 54th BNI - wounded
- Lieut. Weaver, 54th BNI - slightly wounded
- Lieut. Melville - seriously wounded and sent over to Akbar Khan
Spelling Variants
Modern name: Not found
Variants:Tunghi Tarika/Tungee Tareekee
External Links
1st Afghan War Wikipedia
History of the War in Afghanistan Google Books
Retreat to Gandamak British Battles
Lady Sale's account Google Books
Action in the Tungee Tareekee Pass Google Books
Casualties in the Tungee Turreekee Pass Google Books
Historical books on-line
The Kabul insurrection of 1841-42, ed. by G.B. Malleson 1879 - Action at Tangi www.archive.org