Abu Klea and the fall of Khartoum in the Mahdist War

Background. The Mahdist War involved forces led by Muhammad Ahmad against Egyptian and British interests. Gordon arrived in Khartoum in February 1884 to secure evacuations, and the Mahdist siege of the city began on 18 March 1884. By January 1885, starvation and cholera had shattered morale. The British relief force, the Desert Column, marched from Korti in December 1884 to aid Gordon, who was besieged by Mahdist forces.

Battle of Abu Klea. The Battle of Abu Klea occurred between 16 and 18 January 1885. The British Desert Column, approximately 1,400 soldiers, engaged Mahdist forces encamped near Abu Klea. The column defeated the Mahdists, allowing them to advance toward Khartoum. However, their victory came too late to prevent the city's fall, which had already occurred days prior.

Fall of Khartoum. Khartoum fell on 26 January 1885 after a 313-day siege. The Mahdi's generals decided to storm the city on 24 January. Gordon was killed during the capture, an event romanticized in later art. The garrison was massacred, and Gordon was portrayed as a martyr. The city had been occupied by Egyptian troops and civilians before the siege began.