Battle of Karari (Omdurman) in the Mahdist War (1898)

The Battle of Karari, also known as the Battle of Omdurman, occurred on 2 September 1898. It was fought between a British-Egyptian force under Major General Horatio Herbert Kitchener and the Mahdist State army led by Khalifa Abdallahi ibn Muhammad. The engagement took place at Kerreri, north of Omdurman, resulting in a decisive victory for the Anglo-Egyptian forces and securing control of Sudan.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Following the establishment of the Mahdist State, the British government decided to send an expeditionary force to overthrow the Khalifa and protect interests in the Suez Canal. Kitchener, as Commander-in-Chief, led this force. Prior to the battle, Kitchener had secured key positions like Dongola and Abu Hamed, and defeated Mahdist forces at the Battle of Atbara in April 1898, opening the route to Omdurman.

The Engagement. On 1 September 1898, Kitchener arrived to face the main Mahdist army near Khartoum. On the morning of 2 September, a large force of Ansar emerged from Omdurman under the Khalifa's command. The battle resulted in four Victoria Cross awards for gallantry. The Khalifa escaped but was later killed in 1899 at the Battle of Umm Diwaykarat.

Aftermath. Kitchener was credited with securing control of Sudan, leading to his appointment as Governor-General in September 1898 and creation as Baron Kitchener of Khartoum. The battle inspired various cultural works, including Churchill's 'The River War' and poems by William McGonagall and Henry Surtees, published in 1899.

People involved

Sources

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