Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai

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Siege of Khelat-i-Ghilzai
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date: 9 March-21 May 1842
Location: Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Presidency: Bengal
Co-ordinates: 32.104205°N 66.907841°E
Result: British victory
Combatants
British & Indians Various Afghan tribes
Commanders
Capt John Halket Craigie
Strength
900 6,000
Casualties
2 wounded 400

Synopsis

Captain Craigie took occupation of Khelat-i-Ghilzie in Novemeber 1841. At the end of the month he was reinforced by sepoys of the 43rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry provided by Colonel Maclaren on his return to Kandahar. In bitter winter weather the garrison worked to improve the defences and at the beginning of March they were besieged by Afghan tribesmen. The attackers dug trenches encircling the place and were able to fire from protected positions. On 21 May a major assault with scaling ladders was mounted but beaten off in a fierce battle which effectively ended the siege. When Colonel Wymer arrived with a relieving force there was nothing to do but dismantle the fortifications and return to Kandahar.

The 3rd Regiment of Shah Shulja's Infantry was renamed The Regiment of Khelat-i-Ghilzie in recognition of its bravery. The garrison was awarded the Defence of Khelat-i-Ghilzie Medal.

Garrison

External Links

1st Afghan War Wikipedia
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
Siege of Khelat Google Books
Attack on Khelat-i-Ghilzie 21 May 1842 Google Books
Craigie's despatch Google Books Relief of Khelat Google Books
Khelat-i-Ghilzie Medal Google Books

Historical books on-line

Memorials of Affghanistan - Capt Craigie's account by J H Stocqueler 1863 (Google Books)