The Battle of Maiwand 1880 | 2nd Anglo Afghan War

The Battle of Maiwand was a major British defeat in Afghanistan, back in 1880.

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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Fought on the 27th July 1880, the Battle of Maiwand was one of the greatest defeats ever suffered by one of Queen’s Victoria’s armies - over 900 men were wiped out by an Afghan army which outnumbered it by 10:1.

It was fought during the 2nd Anglo Afghan War.

During the previous war, back in the 1840's, the British had also suffered a significant defeat when their column retreating from Kabul was massacred and the 44th Regiment of Foot made a famous last stand at Gandamak
Watch that story by clicking the link below:

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Commanded by Brigadier-General George Burrows the British army consisted of some 1,500 infantry and 350 cavalry.
It was a mixed force drawn from the India army and the regular British Army, the latter comprising of the 66th regiment of Foot.
The 66th would later become the Royal Berkshire Regiment and after further amalgamations are now part of The Rifles.

The Indian contingent was drawn from the Bombay Army. The infantry comprised of the 1st Bombay Grenadiers and the 30th Bombay Native Infantry (Jacob’s Rifles).
The Grenadiers had been formed way back in 1778 and were one of the oldest regiments in the Indian army.
It was the Bombay Army that also contributed the cavalry force under Brigadier-General Nuttall.
They were the 3rd Queen’s Own cavalry and the 3rd Scinde Horse.

Also accompanying the force were B and E batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery and a half company of Bombay engineers and sappers.

The Afghans used their superiority in numbers and guns to overwhelm the British force.
The British lost 943 men killed and 175 wounded.

For the Afghans it was a famous victory.
However, it had also been a costly victory too.
Accounts vary as to their losses but estimates suggest 2,000 killed.

The victorious Afghans went on to besiege the British garrison in Kandahar until defeated be General Frederick Roberts.

An impressive memorial, surmounted by a lion was erected in reading, the home town of the 66th Regiment to honour the 274 men and 12 officers from the regiment who were killed in the battle.
The Lion of Maiwand has become a symbol for the town of Reading and features on the emblem of Reading F.C.

#battleofmaiwand #britishempire #britishempire

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:07 2nd Anglo Afghan War
3:17 The British Army
5:37 The Afghan Army
7:05 Battle of Maiwand
9:40 British Collapse
10:46 saving The Guns
11:43 Last Stand Of The 66th.
12:35 Victoria Crosses
13:52 Casualty Figures
16:42 Bobbie The Dog
18:31 History Chap Membership

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[williamtraynor-kean]

While at dinner in the Army & Navy Club when Tony Blair announced that British troops would be deployed to Afghanistan, a rather famous author and soldier remarked “do these people never read history?”

[edthilenius]

You, sir, are indeed the master of wonderful stories of English history. For the very first time in my 24-year marriage to my beautiful wife Debbie, she listened and watched this video. When it came time for the story of little Bobby the dog, she was deeply moved. Well done, my friend, as always. Superbly crafted, and we look forward to your next story. Until then, Cheers and be well.😊

[joeritchie]

Another fantastic history lesson. It is amazing how much destruction comes about when orders are not thought through and are still given. Also, not knowing the terrain and being fully prepared for battle always leads to disastrous results.

[lajoszlatos]

Thank you! It's another fantastic story (again) about the British military history! Thank you very much for everything & your storytelling talent!!!

[SgtGenDanbo]

Thank you! Excellent video. I was stationed at Maiwand with the US Army in 2008-2009 and was on the battlefield many times. I knew very little about the battle then, but have been fascinated with it ever since. Wonderful storytelling of such a pivotal moment in British and Afghan history!

[DavGv]

Thanks very much. The regiment still marked Maiwand Day in the 1960s and I'm glad you included the story of Bobby.

[theblackprince]

A fascinating video Chris. It's a battle that up until today I'd never heard of before.

[jonathanmawdesley-thomas]

Another great recounting of Imperial history … well done Chris, your style and intonation make all these events so compelling to listen too !

[tristansmyth]

Fantastic documentary! I know the Lion monument very well as our family moved to Reading when I was 7 years old; Maiwand was a byword of British defeat at the time of the Empire; we were all taught about it at school - General Lord Roberts is also well known to my family as my Great Grandfather was on the Roberts March, he was a driver, using 4 or 6 horses to pull the limber and artillery piece he was ordered to drive. I still have his Army paybook, which has some fascinating details. Thank you for bringing Maiwand to everyone's attention. I know it would have made my Great Grandfather very proud that we remembered this terrible situation for the British in Afghanistan.

[coult]

Thanks for another great story, having served the UN in Pakistan during the 1980's I learned a lot about this period. Later at the Dutch Foreign Office as a securety advisor, I warned that sending NATO to Afghanistan on a "winning hearts and minds "mission would be a waste of time and lives! Read the history, I said. Nobody reacted. Keep up the great stories, Chris.

[whicker]

Ur accuracy, intensity, presentation skill, and thoroughness made a subscriber outta me.
I'm very partial to little Bobbie's part of this story. TY to whom ever preserved his part n history.

[ocphish]

I recently visited Reading and saw the monument. Your video has brought the battle to life in my mind, a battle I was previously not aware of. Great channel.

[Katmando]

I recognise the paiting of the battle but didn't really know much about it. Well done, Bobby! Thanks Chris.

[BMWtphs]

What another great video! Thank you for doing a video on one of my favorite campaigns. The brave last stand by the 66th is so heroic and honorable, and one to be remembered. Hopefully one day I can see that memorial and pay my respects

[justinreilly]

Gosh, another fantastic history lesson! 👏 The punchline at the end with the little dog is a real kicker.

[Jon.A.Scholt]

History Chap, I was reading about the Taiping Rebellion and came across our old friend Charles "Chinese" Gordon defending Shanghai and that got me wondering. Are you planning on making videos that will cover the colonial wars in China? It seems like fertile ground that is right up the alley of this channel.
In any case, I'm glad to see this channel grow over the last year and a half; it's still a gem, even if it isn't so much a "hidden gem" anymore. I still haven't come across a channel that has covered the Victorian Era Colonial Wars half so well.

[fredazcarate]

Thank you Sir for your brilliant narrative of the Battle Of Maiwand. I was nearly at the edge of my seat. What a tale of bravery in the midst of chaos. Once again thank you and I await your next video lecture. 👍

[rtsesmelis]

Great story. Well told. Never heard about this battle before. Salute to all these brave men.

[Antonnick]

In an article in one of the "British empire" books, that you have on the shelf behind you, I seem to remember reading that General "Bobs" achievement in getting his army from Kabul to Kandahar in record time was a fantastic accomplishment that for many years afterwards his organisation methods were feted. Having arrived in Kandahar the Afghans were completely routed after their fortress was stormed.

[Phaust]

As always, a great video! Thank you for covering this important, but, as you said, little known action.

Among the dead of the 66th was the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith, who was killed as the Regiment withdrew towards Khig. He fell holding the Queen's Colours.

I attended Reading University. The bus route from the station to the Uni passed by Forbury Gardens and the Maiwand Lion statue. Whenever I saw it, i would always remember the Battle of Maiwand and the last stand of the 66th.