Battle of Ali Masjid

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. 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.

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

Britain

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