Atlas of Battles

battle, notable, nineteenth century

Battle of Kambula

Battle of Kambula was a battle fought on 29 March 1879 at Kambula, in what is now South Africa. It was part of the Anglo-Zulu War. The recorded result: British victory. Recorded strength: 2,086; 180 African auxiliaries; 6 field guns against 20,000.

See it on the globe Read the article

The Zulu War, Battle of Kambula Hill, 29 March. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 24 May 1879.
The Zulu War, Battle of Kambula Hill, 29 March. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 24 May 1879.. Charles Robinson, after Melton Prior (1845 - 1910), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fought29 March 1879
WhereKambula, South Africa27.693S, 30.673E
OutcomeBritish victory
BelligerentsBritish EmpireagainstZulu Kingdom
Casualties and losses29 killed; 54 woundedand785–2,000 killed
Part ofAnglo-Zulu War1879

Where it sits in the Anglo-Zulu War

Battle of Rorke's Drift, 1879Battle of Isandlwana, 1879Battle of Inyezane, 1879Siege of Eshowe, 1879Battle of Intombe, 1879Battle of Hlobane, 1879Battle of Kambula, 1879Battle of Gingindlovu, 1879Battle of Ulundi, 187918791879Battle of Kambula, 1879
10 placed engagements of the Anglo-Zulu War in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

Date29 March 1879
PlaceKambula, South Africa
27.693S, 30.673E
KindBattle, nineteenth century
Strength2,086; 180 African auxiliaries; 6 field guns20,000
Casualties and losses29 killed; 54 wounded785–2,000 killed
Battle of KambulaBattle of KambulaBattle of Blood River PoortBattle of HlobaneBattle of Blood RiverBattle of IntombeBattle of Talana HillBattle of Blood River PoortBattle of Blood RiverBattle of IntombeBattle of Talana HillStandertonLadysmithVolksrustUlundiGolelaUbombaManziniHlatikulu100 km27.693S, 30.673E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

In the same war

Elsewhere in 1879

Battle of Kambula is one of 3,694 engagements of the 19th century in the atlas and one of 95 in present-day South Africa.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q949635, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Battle of Kambula, revision 1384894689, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.