15,832
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Add internal link
'''For context see main article [[General Nott at Kandahar]]'''
== Synopsis ==
'''Colonel Thomas Palmer''' with the [[27th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry|27th Bengal Native Infantry]] commanded the garrison of [[Ghazni]] in the winter of 1841. At the beginning of November there was a general uprising in [[Kabul]] and '''General Elphinstone''' ordered '''[[William Nott|General Nott]]''' to send reinforcements from [[Kandahar]]. Colonel Maclaren who had just set out for to India with three regiments was recalled and despatched north on 8th November with the [[16th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry|16th]], [[42nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry|42nd]] and [[43rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry|43rd Bengal Native Infantry]] with cavalry and artillery.
Meanwhile on 20 November Ghazni was besieged by an Afghan force under Shams-ud-Din, nephew of '''Mohammed Akbar Khan'''. This withdrew when news came of the approach of Maclaren's force. However, when a large number of his supply cattle died of exposure and the adverse weather compelled Maclaren to turn back, the besiegers returned on 7 December. Palmer was reluctant to clear the town of inhabitants as they would have died in the snow. Contrary to his belief however they were not sympathetic to the garrison and, on 16 December, let the besiegers into the town though a tunnel. The garrison were compelled to retreat to the citadel.
