Battle of Isandlwana facts for kids

Dabulamanzi kaMpande, one of the Zulu commanders

The Battle of Isandlwana took place on 22 January 1879. It was the first battle between the Zulus and the British Empire. The struggle between the two nations is known as the Anglo–Zulu War.

The British army, commanded by Lord Chelmsford, invaded Zululand. The 24th foot made camp at Isandlwana where they were attacked by about 20,000 Zulus. Over 1,300 soldiers were killed. The Zulus themselves lost about 1,000 to 2,500 men.

The battle was followed by the successful British defence at the Battle of Rorke's Drift.

Strictly speaking, the war was between the colonial Government of Natal and the Zulu nation. The colony (which later became South Africa) made its own decisions.

Images for kids

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  Lord Chelmsford

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  British Army "Military Map of Zulu Land", 1879. Rorke's Drift is at the convergence of the red, green and blue border lines, Islandlwana is slightly to the right

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  Cetshwayo, c. 1875

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  Zulu warriors, 1882

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  The Battle of Isandlwana (Charles Edwin Fripp)

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  Lts Melvill and Coghill attacked by Zulu warriors.

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  1. 94 the flag of the 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire) (Post-1881 Childers Reforms known as the South Wales Borderers).

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Isandlwana para niños