
The Battle of Isandlwana, fought on January 22, 1879, marked the first encounter between the British and Zulu forces during the Anglo-Zulu War. The battle took place in the rugged terrain of Isandlwana, South Africa, where a small British force of approximately 1,800 soldiers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine, faced a massive Zulu army estimated to number over 20,000 warriors. Despite their technological advantages, the British were caught off guard by the Zulu's superior tactics and overwhelming numbers, resulting in a crushing defeat for the British. The battle remains a significant event in British military history, highlighting the challenges of imperial expansion and the resilience of indigenous African armies in the face of European colonization.