Battle of Umm Diwaykarat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Umm Diwaykarat
Part of the Mahdist War
Date 25 November 1899 Location Kordofan, Sudan Result Anglo-Egyptian victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Egypt	Mahdist State
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Francis Reginald Wingate	Abdallahi ibn Muhammad  †
Strength
8,000	10,000
Casualties and losses
3 killed, 23 wounded	1,000 killed and wounded, 3,000 captured

The Battle of Umm Diwaykarat was a very important fight that happened on November 25, 1899. It took place in Kordofan, Sudan. This battle marked the final defeat of the Mahdist State in Sudan. Forces from the United Kingdom and Egypt worked together. They were led by Lord Kitchener. They defeated the last of the Mahdist armies. The Mahdists were led by a leader known as the Khalifa, whose real name was Abdallahi ibn Muhammad. This battle happened about a year after another big defeat for the Mahdists at the Battle of Omdurman.

Why the Battle Happened

After the Battle of Omdurman

After their big loss at Omdurman, the Mahdist forces still had about 25,000 fighters. They moved south from Khartoum into a region called Kordofan. The Mahdists still controlled Kordofan, Darfur, and some lands near Ethiopia.

Finding the Khalifa

In October 1899, the British learned something important. They found out that the Khalifa and his forces were with his own people, the Baggara, west of Kusti (also called Kaka) in Kordofan. Lord Kitchener quickly sent 8,000 Sudanese and Egyptian soldiers. These soldiers were led by General F.R. Wingate. Their mission was to find and stop the Khalifa.

Wingate's March

General Wingate marched his troops from Kusti into the mountains of Kordofan. Along the way, they destroyed a Mahdist supply unit. Soon after, they found the Khalifa's camp.

The Battle Begins

Khalifa's Decision

By the time Wingate's forces arrived, the Khalifa's army still had at least 10,000 people. The Khalifa decided to stay and fight instead of retreating further.

The Attack

During the night, General Wingate's forces quietly moved closer to the Mahdist camp. They approached from the east and north sides. Around 5 AM, the Mahdists started to attack the British-led forces. However, they were met with very strong gunfire. The Anglo-Egyptian forces used powerful Maxim guns, which fired many bullets very quickly.

The Khalifa's Last Stand

The Khalifa tried to get his men to keep fighting, but it was too late. He soon realized that they had lost. He called his main leaders to sit with him on a special animal skin. They waited there to face their end. His guards tried to protect him, but they were all shot down by the Anglo-Egyptian forces.

Battle Results

The Mahdists suffered heavy losses. About 1,000 of their fighters were killed or wounded. The Sudanese and Egyptian forces captured many more Mahdists. Among those captured was a son of Emir Yuni, one of the Mahdist leaders.

What Happened Next

Osman Digna's Escape and Capture

Osman Digna, another important Mahdist leader, was hurt almost at the very start of the battle. He was taken away from the fight and managed to escape. He was the only main Mahdist leader to do so. After this big defeat, some remaining Mahdists continued to resist for a short time under his command. However, Osman Digna was finally caught in January 1900.

End of Mahdist Control

The last areas that the Mahdists still controlled, like parts of Darfur, were eventually captured in 1916. The Battle of Umm Diwaykarat truly marked the end of the Mahdist State in Sudan.