Battle of Kandahar ends the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1880)

The Battle of Kandahar on 1 September 1880 was the last major conflict of the Second Anglo-Afghan War. General Frederick Roberts defeated Afghan forces led by Ayub Khan, ending the war. The engagement followed the British relief of Kandahar after the defeat at Maiwand, concluding the conflict before the final British withdrawal in 1881.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Second Anglo-Afghan War began in 1878. After the Treaty of Gandamak in May 1879, Ayub Khan, governor of Herat, rebelled in July 1880. He defeated a British detachment at Maiwand and besieged Kandahar. The British relief force reached Kandahar on 31 August 1880, setting the stage for the decisive battle the following morning.

Command. General Frederick Roberts commanded the British forces. He had previously led the Kabul Field Force and was appointed commander of the Kabul and Kandahar Field Force after the defeat at Maiwand. Roberts led 10,000 troops across rough terrain to relieve Kandahar, utilizing military intelligence to plan the attack for 1 September 1880.

Outcome. The battle brought a close to the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Roberts received the thanks of Parliament and was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in September 1880. The British subsequently withdrew from Afghanistan, with the last troops leaving in April 1881, having achieved their war aims.

People involved

Sources

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