Battle of Ali Masjid

For the battle in 1839, see Battle of Ali Masjid (1839).
Battle of Ali Masjid
Part of the Second Anglo-Afghan War

The interior of Ali Masjid, following the battle.
Date21 November 1878
Location
Western end of the Khyber Pass, Afghanistan
Result British victory; Afghan retreat
Jalalabad and Kabul captured by the British
Belligerents

United Kingdom Britain

Afghanistan
Commanders and leaders
Sir Samuel J. Browne[1] Ghulam Haider Khan
Mir Akhor
Strength
3,000 infantry,[2]
600 militia,[2]
200 cavalry[2]		 3,000 Infantry,[3]
600 Khasadurs,[3]
320 Gunners,[3]
200 Cavalry[3]
Casualties and losses
16 killed,[2][4]
34 wounded[2]		 300 captured[4]

The Battle of Ali Masjid, which took place on 21 November 1878, was the opening battle in the Second Anglo-Afghan War between the British forces, under Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel James Browne, and the Afghan forces, under Ghulam Haider Khan. The perceived offence of an Afghan general's refusal to allow a British envoy entrance to the country was used as an excuse to attack the fortress of Ali Masjid, as the opening battle in the war.[1] Despite numerous setbacks, including half the troops getting lost or delayed and missing the battle entirely, the British were lucky that the Afghans abandoned their position overnight.[4]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference conflict was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference book1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d MacGregor, Charles Metcalfe. "The Second Afghan War: Official Account Produced in the Intelligence Branch, Army Headquarters, India", 1908
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference couk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).