Battles & Campaigns · 1839
Battle of Ghazni
Ghazni, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
What happened
A British and Indian army under General Sir John Keane fought the Afghan garrison of Ghazni, commanded by Hyder Khan, son of the Amir Dost Muhammad. In the First Anglo-Afghan War, the British invaded Afghanistan to replace its ruler, Dost Muhammad, with Shah Shuja. The walled city of Ghazni lay on the road to Kabul. Learning that only the Kabul Gate was not blocked, British engineers blew it open with gunpowder, and the city was taken by dawn.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened the road to Kabul, and Dost Muhammad fled. The British installed Shah Shuja as ruler.
What came next
Keane was made Baron Keane of Ghazni. The British occupied Kabul later in 1839.
Did you know?
Ghazni's two tall minarets date from the mid-12th century.
Timeline
- 21 July 1839The British army reaches Ghazni.
- 23 July 1839The Kabul Gate is blown open and the city is taken.
- 1839Dost Muhammad flees and Shah Shuja is installed.
- 1911-1913A war memorial including a Tower of Ghazni is built at Roorkee.