Difference between revisions of "General Nott at Kandahar"
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'''This article is part of the section on the [[1st Afghan War]]'''<br> | '''This article is part of the section on the [[1st Afghan War]]'''<br> | ||
| − | == | + | == Events in and around Kandahar 1839-42 == |
When '''Sir John Keane''' entered [[Afghanistan]] with the invading army '''William Nott''' was left in command at [[Quetta]]. After Shah Shuja had been installed at [[Kabul]] the Combined Army withdrew. The Bengal Force went via the [[Khyber Pass]] leaving a garrison at [[Jalalabad]] and the Bombay Force moved south leaving garrisons at [[Ghazni]] and [[Kandahar]]. General Nott was given command of the Kandahar occupying forces and he took post there on 13 November 1839. '''Major Henry Rawlinson''' was appointed political officer. | When '''Sir John Keane''' entered [[Afghanistan]] with the invading army '''William Nott''' was left in command at [[Quetta]]. After Shah Shuja had been installed at [[Kabul]] the Combined Army withdrew. The Bengal Force went via the [[Khyber Pass]] leaving a garrison at [[Jalalabad]] and the Bombay Force moved south leaving garrisons at [[Ghazni]] and [[Kandahar]]. General Nott was given command of the Kandahar occupying forces and he took post there on 13 November 1839. '''Major Henry Rawlinson''' was appointed political officer. | ||
| + | ==== 1840 ==== | ||
All was comparatively quiet until spring of 1840 when rebel [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghilzai Ghilzai] chiefs brought forces near Khelat-i-Ghilzie intending to cut communications between Kandahar and Kabul. They were defeated at [[Battle of Tazee|Tazee]] by a force under '''Colonel George Wymer'''. Shortly afterwards General Nott moved up to Khelat-i-Ghilzie to complete the reduction of the rebellion. | All was comparatively quiet until spring of 1840 when rebel [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghilzai Ghilzai] chiefs brought forces near Khelat-i-Ghilzie intending to cut communications between Kandahar and Kabul. They were defeated at [[Battle of Tazee|Tazee]] by a force under '''Colonel George Wymer'''. Shortly afterwards General Nott moved up to Khelat-i-Ghilzie to complete the reduction of the rebellion. | ||
| − | + | ==== 1841 ==== | |
It was decided to restore the defences of Khelat-i-Ghilzie and this further antagonised the tribesmen. They assembled menacingly around the fort and Nott sent Colonel Wymer to disperse them. On 29 May 1841 the Ghilzais were defeated at [[Battle of Asseer Eelmee|Asseer-Eelmee]]. | It was decided to restore the defences of Khelat-i-Ghilzie and this further antagonised the tribesmen. They assembled menacingly around the fort and Nott sent Colonel Wymer to disperse them. On 29 May 1841 the Ghilzais were defeated at [[Battle of Asseer Eelmee|Asseer-Eelmee]]. | ||
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A letter from headquarters with news of the [[Kabul Uprising]] requested Nott to send the three regiments to reinforce the capital. They were dispatched under Colonel Maclaren on 17 November. The [[Siege of Ghazni]] began on 20 November and communication north was cut. Colonel Maclaren turned back in the face of extreme weather<ref>Disputed by some sources. [http://books.google.com/books?id=5NANAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA395&dq=History+of+the+war+in+Afghanistan+On+the+8th+of+December+Maclaren's+brigade&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''History of the War in Afghanistan Vol II (1841-1842)'' by John William Kaye (1851) ] </ref> and reached Kandahar again on 8 December. Nott and his garrison remained bottled up until the end of the year. On 27 December two regiments of Shah Shujah's Afghan cavalry ([[Mutiny of the Janbaz|Janbaz]]) mutinied. Two days later Prince Sufder Jung, son of Shah Shujah, fled Kandahar and joined Atta Mahomed. | A letter from headquarters with news of the [[Kabul Uprising]] requested Nott to send the three regiments to reinforce the capital. They were dispatched under Colonel Maclaren on 17 November. The [[Siege of Ghazni]] began on 20 November and communication north was cut. Colonel Maclaren turned back in the face of extreme weather<ref>Disputed by some sources. [http://books.google.com/books?id=5NANAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA395&dq=History+of+the+war+in+Afghanistan+On+the+8th+of+December+Maclaren's+brigade&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''History of the War in Afghanistan Vol II (1841-1842)'' by John William Kaye (1851) ] </ref> and reached Kandahar again on 8 December. Nott and his garrison remained bottled up until the end of the year. On 27 December two regiments of Shah Shujah's Afghan cavalry ([[Mutiny of the Janbaz|Janbaz]]) mutinied. Two days later Prince Sufder Jung, son of Shah Shujah, fled Kandahar and joined Atta Mahomed. | ||
| + | ==== 1842 ==== | ||
| + | Major Rawlinson tried unsuccessfully to persuade General Nott to send an expedition after the Prince and Atta Mahomed who were at Dehli, forty miles from Kandahar. Nott judged it too great a risk in winter weather but, when the rebels approached within 12 miles of the city, he defeated them at the [[Battle of Killu-l-Shah]] on 12 January 1842. | ||
| − | + | A period of quiet ensued. Though the Durranis continued to hover around Kandahar, winter discouraged both sides from action. Attacks on foragers and seizure of baggage animals began to increase and by March General Nott felt it time to take the offensive. Major Rawlinson cleared the city of possible troublemakers - some 1,000 families and Nott set out leaving a minimum garrison under Major Lane. The Afghans drew him away however before doubling in his rear to attack the city on the night of 10 March. A desperate defence eventually repulsed the [[Attack on Kandahar]]. Meanwhile the [[Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai]] had begun. | |
| − | + | Lt-Col Wymer was dispatched to clear dissidents from the surrounding countryside and on 25 March his force was attacked near [[Battle of Baba Wullee 1842|Baba Wullee]]. The Durranis were defeated again. Then came news that on 6 March [[Siege of Ghazni|Ghazni had been captured]] and all but 10 officers killed. | |
== Garrison == | == Garrison == | ||
Revision as of 16:55, 23 April 2010
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See our interactive map of General Nott at Kandahar locations and routes on Google Maps | |
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This article is part of the section on the 1st Afghan War
Contents
Events in and around Kandahar 1839-42
When Sir John Keane entered Afghanistan with the invading army William Nott was left in command at Quetta. After Shah Shuja had been installed at Kabul the Combined Army withdrew. The Bengal Force went via the Khyber Pass leaving a garrison at Jalalabad and the Bombay Force moved south leaving garrisons at Ghazni and Kandahar. General Nott was given command of the Kandahar occupying forces and he took post there on 13 November 1839. Major Henry Rawlinson was appointed political officer.
1840
All was comparatively quiet until spring of 1840 when rebel Ghilzai chiefs brought forces near Khelat-i-Ghilzie intending to cut communications between Kandahar and Kabul. They were defeated at Tazee by a force under Colonel George Wymer. Shortly afterwards General Nott moved up to Khelat-i-Ghilzie to complete the reduction of the rebellion.
1841
It was decided to restore the defences of Khelat-i-Ghilzie and this further antagonised the tribesmen. They assembled menacingly around the fort and Nott sent Colonel Wymer to disperse them. On 29 May 1841 the Ghilzais were defeated at Asseer-Eelmee.
Aktar Khan continued to foment rebellion amongst the Durrani tribesmen in Helmabnd Province despite professing loyalty to Shah Shujah. He threatened the garrison at Gereshk and Nott had to send detachments to counter his attacks. There were successful actions at Gereshk, Karootoo and Khawind in July and August 1841.
General Nott led a large contingent north east from Kandahar into the districts of Zemindaur, Tireen and Derawut in September. Akram Khan was captured and sent to Kabul where he was executed.[1] The show of force seemed to subdue the tribes and Nott returned on 1 November. While he was away Kandahar was reinforced by the arrival of the 40th Foot and on 2 November he reviewed the whole garrison of 5,000 fighting men.
Headquarters in Kabul believed the country to be pacified and instructed Nott to sent part of his troops back to India. On 8 November the 16th, 42nd and 43rd Bengal Native Infantry under Colonel Maclaren set out for Quetta. They had only gone one march when news came of the death of Captain Woodburn. Nott promptly recalled Colonel Maclaren and his troops.
A letter from headquarters with news of the Kabul Uprising requested Nott to send the three regiments to reinforce the capital. They were dispatched under Colonel Maclaren on 17 November. The Siege of Ghazni began on 20 November and communication north was cut. Colonel Maclaren turned back in the face of extreme weather[2] and reached Kandahar again on 8 December. Nott and his garrison remained bottled up until the end of the year. On 27 December two regiments of Shah Shujah's Afghan cavalry (Janbaz) mutinied. Two days later Prince Sufder Jung, son of Shah Shujah, fled Kandahar and joined Atta Mahomed.
1842
Major Rawlinson tried unsuccessfully to persuade General Nott to send an expedition after the Prince and Atta Mahomed who were at Dehli, forty miles from Kandahar. Nott judged it too great a risk in winter weather but, when the rebels approached within 12 miles of the city, he defeated them at the Battle of Killu-l-Shah on 12 January 1842.
A period of quiet ensued. Though the Durranis continued to hover around Kandahar, winter discouraged both sides from action. Attacks on foragers and seizure of baggage animals began to increase and by March General Nott felt it time to take the offensive. Major Rawlinson cleared the city of possible troublemakers - some 1,000 families and Nott set out leaving a minimum garrison under Major Lane. The Afghans drew him away however before doubling in his rear to attack the city on the night of 10 March. A desperate defence eventually repulsed the Attack on Kandahar. Meanwhile the Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai had begun.
Lt-Col Wymer was dispatched to clear dissidents from the surrounding countryside and on 25 March his force was attacked near Baba Wullee. The Durranis were defeated again. Then came news that on 6 March Ghazni had been captured and all but 10 officers killed.
Garrison
Forces under General Nott 2 November 1841
- Skinner's Horse
- 1st Shah Shujah's Cavalry
- Shah Shujah's Horse Artillery (under Capt Anderson)
- Brigade of Bombay Artillery (Capt Blood's Battery)
- Brigade of Bengal Artillery
- HM 40th Regiment
- 2nd Bengal Native Infantry
- 16th Bengal Native Infantry
- 38th Bengal Native Infantry
- 42nd Bengal Native Infantry
- 43rd Bengal Native Infantry
Biographies
Entries in the Dictionary of Indian Biography 1906:
John Keane (1781-1844)
William Macnaghten (1793-1841)
William Nott (1782-1845)
Henry Rawlinson (1810-1895)
Shah Shuja (1780?-1842)
George Wymer (1788-1868)
External Links
1st Afghan War Wikipedia
Afghan Wars Heritage History
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
A Memoir of Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson - Life during the great Affghan War 1839-1842 Google Books
Historical books on-line
History of the War in Afghanistan Vol 1 by John William Kaye 1851 (Google Books)
References
- ↑ Death of Akram Khan. Outline of the operations of the British troops in Scinde and Afghanistan by Geo Buist (1893)
- ↑ Disputed by some sources. History of the War in Afghanistan Vol II (1841-1842) by John William Kaye (1851)
