The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-01 00:00:00

-‘O-

DEFEAT OF AYOOB KHAN.
The long-expected battle between the rivals in Afghani-,
sta* took place on Thursday, 22ml inst. It lasted five
bouts, and ended in the tuial rout it Ayoub Knan, who fled
to Herat, leaving his guns anti bav„,rage. The lo,sses on bath
sides were heavy.—The Times of Monday published the fol-
lowing account of the battle from its Correspondent, dated
Gulistan, Sept. 26 : •
On the 10th inst. the Atikeor,:nding great difficulty
in obtaining flour for his troops, and unable to tempt
Ayoob out of his position, shifted his camp about nine
miles to the west. By this manceuvre he abandoned
his line of command of a larger extent of country in
order to be the better able to feed his troops, securing
by his change of camp a position with abundance
of water and mills. He nas also wichin com-
munication with Kelat-i-Ghi/zai, but still had a
line of retreat to Peshin open. He also obtabied
_ . _ _ .
ing the next
transferied
te city, and
'ma, three
From this
ins to the
it, a mile
. by Nadir
,ut its wide
formidable
is guns, his
enclosures
.n the open
his Herati
ly to secure

_ the Herat road.
_
two days he remained quiet, while Ayoo
his camp from the east to the west, or t ,
established his own head-quarters at Ch lzi
miles from Candahar, on the.Herat-I,sad. -
point a ridge of very steep rocky hills ku.
south-west for four miles. To the Oast df 1
from Chilzina, lies Old Candahar, deat•royled
Shah in 1735. It is a complete mit!, bu'
ditch and massive ramparts still make it a
military position. Here Ayoob placed hi,
infantry holding the villages and walked
, for a mile or more to his leffPr4 iont. 1
valley to the west of the hills he place
Horse and one Herati regiment, appaze 1,
his retreat.
At daybreak on the 22nd inst., the Ameer, whose
head-quarters were were Karez-i-Niko, six miles to
the south-west of Candahar and a mile and a half
from the southern end of the hills, broke up his camp,
intending to advance up to them and attack next day,
but he appeared in the villages on his right, detaching
his Ghilzai Horse to engage the Heratis in the valley
to the west. On reaching the hills, Ayoob's guns on
the southern ramparts of the old city opened on him
and the Ameer pushed forward to meet them.
Ayoob placed his Candahari regiments in front;
next to them the Ghazis, of whom he had nearly
10,000; and in their rear two of the Ameer's Cabuli
regiments, the third regiment being with the baggage.
The action seems to have gone on without any result
for three or more hours, when the Cabulis suddenly
opened fire on the Ghazis and Candahars in their
front. This treachery decided the day. The Ghazis
and Candaharis broke and fled, and two of the Herati
regiments went over to the victor. The Ghilzai
cavalry in the meantime had routed the Herati Horse
and infantry in the valley west of the hills, but do not
appear to have been able to hold the road, for Ayoob
and his Sirdars escaped unopposed.
The losses were slight on both sides, the Ameer
having only 40 or 50 killed and as many wounded,
while the enemy had 250 killed, mostly Candaharis
and Ghazis. _ _ .

I striking distance of

The tents, baggage, and 14 guns fell into the victor's
hands.
The city opened its gates; the bazaars were partially
plundered, with many merchants' houses and the
Farsiwans' quarters. The next day the villages in the
vicinity of the city were given up to plunder in re-
venge for their inhabitants joining Ayoob. Nothing
is said about lives being lost.

The following telegram has been received at the India
Office from the Viceroy, dated Simla, September 25: _ _

"St. John reports,. Gulistan, 24th. Ameer defeated
Ayoob 22nd. Battle lasted seven to noon. Two
riabuli regiments deserting Ayoob decided action.
Ayoob and Sirdars fled to Herat, abandoning guns and
baggage. Losses on both sides heavy."

The Viceroy, telegraphing to the India Office on Monday
from Simla, says :

_
"St. John reports Gulistan, 26th, that Candahar
letter 23rd, states that after Ameer moved to Karez-i:
Niko, Ayoob occupied old city. Ameer then advanced
to seize southern end of hills above old city, not
intending to fight till next day; but his troops
coming within range, Ayoob's guns opened fire.
Ameer thon attao.kca Eghtitig at first not
serious. After some hours two Cabuli regiments
in Ayoob's reserve fired on Ghazis in his front.
Ayoob's force then broke and fled, except two
Herat regiments, which submitted to Ameer. Ayoob's
loss 250 killed; Ameer's 40 or 50 killed, and as many
wounded. Ameer's force 3,700 regular infantry,
3,000 regular cavalry, 18 guns, 3,000 or 4,000 irregular
infantry, 5,000 irregular cavalry. Ayoob's force
4,000 or 5,000 regular infantry, 14 guns, 1,500 ETerati
Horse, 10,000 Durani levies. City occupied by
Ameer. Ameer given out intention of marching for
Herat in a few days."