Storming of Ghazni

Storming of Ghazni
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date:	23 July 1839
Location:	Ghazni, Afghanistan
Presidency:	Bengal
Co-ordinates:	33.549438°N 68.416483°E
Result:	British victory
Combatants
British & Indians	Afghan garrison
Commanders
Lieut Gen Sir John Keane	Ghulam Hyder Khan
Strength
9,500 Bengal Army 5,000 Bombay Army 6,000 Shah Shujah's Army	3,500 garrison
Casualties
18 officers, 162 other ranks killed & wounded	500 killed 1,600 prisoners

Summary

The Combined Army under Sir John Keane set out for Kabul from Kandahar and reached Ghazni on 21 July 1839. At three o'clock in the morning on 23 July a firing party led by Lt Henry Durand blew in the Kabul Gate of the Ghazni fortress. Storming parties led by Col William Dennie and Brig Robert Sale took the city then captured the citadel.

The Ghuznee Medal was awarded to those taking part in the attack.

Storming Forces

• 4th (The Queen's Own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons
• 16th (The Queen's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Lancers)
• 2nd Regiment of Foot
• 13th Regiment of Foot
• 17th Regiment of Foot
• 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry
• 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry
• 3rd Skinner’s Horse
• 31st Lancers
• 34th Poona Horse
• Shah Shujah’s Regiment
• 1st Bengal European Regiment
• 16th Bengal Native Infantry
• 48th Bengal Native Infantry
• 31st Bengal Native Infantry
• 42nd Bengal Native Infantry
• 43rd Bengal Native Infantry
• 2nd Bengal Native Infantry
• 27th Bengal Native Infantry
• 19th Bombay Infantry
• 2nd Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners
• 3rd Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners
• 1st Company, Bombay Sappers and Miners

Biographies

Entries in the Dictionary of Indian Biography 1906:
William Dennie (1785?-1842)
Henry Durand (1812-1871)
Robert Sale (1782-1845)

External Links

1st Afghan War Wikipedia
Afghan Wars Heritage History
1st Afghan War Somerset Record Office
Battle of Ghazni Wikipedia
Capture of Ghazni Google Books
The Battle of Ghuznee BritishBattles.com