IN 1842 some 700 European soldiers, 3,800 Indian sepoys and 14,000 civilian staff fled Kabul in the deep chill of winter. The British occupation of Afghanistan, in place since 1839, was no longer tenable. A week later a single survivor from this fleet staggered into view at the British-held fort at Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. This lone soldier on a collapsing pony, as depicted in Elizabeth Butler’s 1879 painting “Remnants of an Army” (pictured), has become a lasting image of the first Anglo-Afghan war. It is an appropriately bleak one.
The Afghan Church, also known as St. John the Evangelist Church, is a memorial in Mumbai, India for those who died in the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842). The church is considered a significant architectural and historical site because it is the first example of Gothic Revival architecture in India.
The British and East India Company forces retreated from Kabul in 1842 after an uprising in the city. The retreat is considered one of the worst military disasters of the 19th century, with an estimated 4,500 British and Indian soldiers and 12,000 camp followers killed. The British sent an Army of Retribution to Kabul to avenge the destruction of the previous forces, and left Afghanistan by the end of 1842.
Some reasons for Britain's downfall in Afghanistan include:
Inhospitable terrain
Unpredictable weather
Fractured tribal politics
Turbulent relations with the local population
Armed civilians
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The 1842 retreat from Kabul was the retreat of the British and East India Company forces from Kabul during the First Anglo-Afghan War. An uprising in Kabul forced the then-commander, Major-General William Elphinstone, to fall back to the British garrison at Jalalabad.
The First Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the British Empire and the Emirate of Kabul from 1838 to 1842. The British initially successfully invaded the ...
13 Jan 2023 — This army, known as the Army of Retribution, defeated Akbar Khan at Tezin and reached Kabul in September 1842, where the surviving British ...
The story is told by, first, Lady Sale who together with over 100 women, children and soldiers was captured and imprisoned by the Afghans. The second account ...
9 Jun 2019 — The plan was to depose the then Afghan King, Dost Mohammad Khan (1793-1863) and put his rival Shah Shuja on the throne as a British puppet. Shah ...
19 Aug 2021 — The British sought to conquer Kabul, which led to the First Anglo-Afghan War fought from 1839 to 1842. The British were forced to retreat in ...
The revenge taken by the Anglo-Indian 'Army of Retribution' against the Afghans between August and October 1842 for the massacres at Kabul and Gandamak.
15 Jan 2020 — Pollock defeated Akbar Khan and captured Kabul while Nott occupied Ghazni. The main market of Kabul was blown off by cannons and then the ...
The Afghan War Memorial Church in Mumbai, India, reopened on March 3, 2024 after a two-year restoration project.
Built in the mid-1800s, the church is more commonly known as the Afghan Church because it serves as a memorial for those who died in the Anglo-Afghan Wars. The site is the first example of Gothic Revival architecture in India. It's known for its wide gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows.
Afghan War Memorial Church | World Monuments Fund
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Renovated 165-year-old Afghan War Memorial Church ...
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After 2 long years, 165-year-old Afghan Church restored to its ...
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1 day ago — The 165-year-old Afghan Church in Mumbai reopens its doors on March 3 after a 2-year restoration. Honoring the sacrifices of soldiers in the ...
