Battle of Isandlwana
Isandlwana, Zulu Kingdom
What happened
A Zulu army commanded by Ntshingwayo kaMahole and Mavumengwana kaNdlela attacked a British camp left under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pulleine and Colonel Anthony Durnford, while the British commander Lord Chelmsford was away. In December 1878 the British gave King Cetshwayo of the Zulu an ultimatum that he could not realistically meet, and in January 1879 a British army invaded Zululand. Lord Chelmsford split his force and went looking for the Zulu army, leaving a camp at Isandlwana that had not been fortified. The Zulu army attacked using its famous 'horns and chest of the buffalo' formation, surrounded the camp and overran it.
Why it matters
Result: Zulu victory. Leaders: Maj. Gen. / Lord Chelmsford against Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khoza / Dabulamanzi kaMpande. Why it matters: It was the British Army's worst defeat against an Indigenous army with less advanced weapons. It shocked Britain and showed the strength and skill of the Zulu army.
What came next
Britain sent a much larger army, which defeated the Zulu at Ulundi on 4 July 1879 and captured Cetshwayo. On the same day as Isandlwana, Zulu warriors also attacked the British post at Rorke's Drift.
Did you know?
The Zulu commanders used a famous attack formation called the 'horns and chest of the buffalo'.
Timeline
- 11 December 1878Britain issues its ultimatum to Cetshwayo.
- January 1879British forces invade Zululand.
- 22 January 1879The Zulu army defeats the British at Isandlwana.
- 4 July 1879The British defeat the Zulu at Ulundi.