Battle of Isandlwana

The Battle of Isandlwana (alternative spelling: Isandhlwana) on 22 January 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Eleven days after the British invaded Zululand in Southern Africa, a Zulu force of some 20,000 warriors attacked a portion of the British main column consisting of approximately 1,800 British, colonial and native troops with approximately 350 civilians. The Zulus were equipped mainly with the traditional assegai iron spears and cow-hide shields, but also had a number of muskets and antiquated rifles.

Battle of Isandlwana
Part of the Anglo-Zulu War

Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill flee the camp with the Queen's Colour of the 1st battalion of the 24th Regiment
Date22 January 1879
Location
Isandlwana, Zulu Kingdom
28°21′32″S 30°39′9″E
Result

Zulu victory

  • First British invasion attempt defeated
Belligerents
 British Empire Zulu Empire
Commanders and leaders

Overall commander:
Maj. Gen. Lord Chelmsford
Subordinate commanders:
Bvt. Lt-Col. Henry Pulleine †

Bvt. Col. Anthony Durnford †

Overall commander:
Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khoza
Subordinate commanders:
Vumindaba kaNthati
Mavumengwana kaNdlela

Zibhebhu kaMaphitha
Strength

No. 2 Column:
British: 14
Native + Colonial: c. 511
No. 3 Column:
British: 734
Native + Colonial: c. 578
Total: 1,837 men

In addition to the troops above, an indeterminate number of civilian auxiliaries (wagon drivers, servants, etc.) were also present

Zulu Impi:
about 20,000
c. 10,000 to 15,000 engaged
Reserve:

3,000 to 5,000 to Rorke's Drift
Casualties and losses
Total: Over 1,300 killed:
  • 52 officers
  • 727 British regulars
  • 476 others including:
    • 343 African Natal Native Contingent
  • 133 European Colonial troops
Material losses:
2 artillery pieces captured		 Total: 3,000–5,000
  • c. 1,000–3,000 killed
  • 2,000 wounded
Location of Isandlwana in present-day South Africa
Battle of Isandlwana (KwaZulu-Natal)

The British and colonial troops were armed with the modern Martini–Henry breechloading rifle and two 7-pounder mountain guns deployed as field guns, as well as a Hale rocket battery. The Zulus had a vast disadvantage in weapons technology, but they greatly outnumbered the British and ultimately overwhelmed them, killing over 1,300 troops, including all those out on the forward firing line. The Zulu army suffered anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 killed.

The battle was a decisive victory for the Zulus and caused the defeat of the first British invasion of Zululand. The British Army had suffered its worst defeat against an indigenous foe equipped with vastly inferior military technology. Isandlwana resulted in the British taking a much more aggressive approach in the Anglo–Zulu War, leading to a heavily reinforced second invasion, and the destruction of King Cetshwayo's hopes of a negotiated peace.

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