Battle of Gandamak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Gandamak
Part of the First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839–1842
An 1898 depiction of the last stand of survivors of Her Majesty's 44th Foot at Gandamak
Date 13 January 1842 Location Kabul–Jalalabad Road, near Gandamak, Afghanistan Result Afghan victory
Belligerents
Emirate of Afghanistan	United Kingdom British East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Wazir Akbar Khan	William Elphinstone (POW)
Strength
Unknown	65 regular troops (20 officers and 45 European soldiers)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	~65 soldiers killed, missing, or captured

The Battle of Gandamak was a very important event during the First Anglo-Afghan War. It happened on January 13, 1842. This battle was a major defeat for the British forces. It took place near the village of Gandamak in Afghanistan. This battle is famous for being the "last stand" of a small group of British soldiers. They were the final survivors of a much larger army that was retreating from Kabul.

What Was the Battle of Gandamak?

The Battle of Gandamak was the final part of a terrible retreat. A large British army, led by General William George Keith Elphinstone, was trying to leave Kabul. They were heading towards Jalalabad. However, Afghan tribesmen attacked them along the way. The journey was very difficult and many soldiers died from attacks, cold, and hunger.

The Retreat from Kabul

The British army had been in Afghanistan for a few years. They were trying to control the country. But the local Afghan people resisted strongly. In late 1841, the situation became very dangerous for the British. They decided to leave Kabul and return to India. This retreat began in early January 1842.

The journey was a disaster. Thousands of soldiers and their families were attacked. They faced harsh winter weather. Most of the army was wiped out during this retreat. Only a very small number of people survived.

The Last Stand

As the retreat continued, a small group of about 65 British soldiers were left. These were 20 officers and 45 European soldiers. Most of them were from the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot. They were trying to push forward. But they found themselves completely surrounded. This happened on a snowy hill near Gandamak.

A Brave Refusal

The soldiers had very few working weapons. They had only 20 muskets, with just two shots each. The Afghan tribesmen asked them to surrender. They promised to spare their lives. But the British soldiers refused to give up. A British sergeant famously shouted, "not bloody likely!"

The Final Moments

After the refusal, the fighting began. The Afghans started shooting from a distance. Then they rushed the hill. Soon, the small group of British soldiers was overwhelmed. Most of them were killed in the fight.

A British officer named Captain Thomas Alexander Souter was captured. The Afghans thought he was a very important general. This was because he had wrapped the special flag of his regiment around his body. The flag was yellow, like a general's waistcoat. A sergeant and seven other soldiers were also captured. The rest of the brave soldiers on the hill died fighting. Even many years later, traces of the battle could still be seen.