Action at Kandahar
| Action at Kandahar | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42 | ||
| Date: | 29 May 1842 | |
| Location: | Kandahar, Afghanistan | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | 31.61088°N 65.700272°E | |
| Result: | British victory | |
| Combatants | ||
| British and Indians | Durrani tribesmen | |
| Commanders | ||
| Maj Gen Sir William Nott | Aktar Khan Atta Mahomed Prince Sufter Jung | |
| Strength | ||
| 6,000 | ||
| Casualties | ||
| 1 killed 51 wounded |
400 killed and wounded | |
This was an event during the 1st Afghan War
For context see main article General Nott at Kandahar
Synopsis
After declaring friendship with the British Aktar Khan once again threw in his lot with the Durrani chiefs. Believing that Nott's reduced force was insufficient to defend Kandahar and to fight an action outside the walls, on 29 May 1842 he crossed the Urgandab River and approached within a mile of the city with a force of 6,000 horse and foot. General Nott sent out Colonel Stacy with two regiments of infantry to disperse the enemy and, when it was clear they were determined on an engagement, he set out himself with the 41st Foot. The tribesmen were occupying some low hills which were stormed and the cavalry cut up the fugitives. Major Rawlinson with the Parsewan Horse pursued the enemy almost capturing Atta Mahomed. The Ghazis retreated towards the Baba Wullee Pass and Nott drew off his attack. The next day the Durrani force split up and were no longer a threat to the Kandahar garrison. Shortly afterwards Prince Sufter Jung surrendered.
Field Detachment
- HM 41st Regiment
- 42nd Bengal Native Infantry
- A portion of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry
- Small detachments fron the Poona Horse
- Bombay Light Battalion
- 25th Bombay Native Infantry
- 200 Shah's 1st Cavalry
- Twelve 6-pounders ShahShujah's Artillery
Biographies
Entries in the Dictionary of Indian Biography 1906:
William Nott (1782-1845)
Henry Rawlinson (1810-1895)
External Links
1st Afghan War Wikipedia
Afghan Wars Heritage History
Historical books on-line
Memorials of Affghanistan - Action at Kandahar by J H Stocqueler 1863 (Google Books) History of the war in Afghanistan, Volume 2 - Reappearance of Aktur Khan by Sir John William Kaye 1851 (Google Books)
