ORDER OF BATTLE // July 4, 1879
Battle of Ulundi
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 16,200–19,200 estimated
United Kingdom
4,200
Medium-confidence figure
Zulu Kingdom
12,000–15,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Ulundi, fought at the Zulu capital on 4 July 1879, was the decisive final engagement of the Anglo-Zulu War. A British force of approximately 4,200 under Lord Chelmsford defeated a Zulu army of between 12,000 and 15,000 men commanded by Ziwedu kaMpande, inflicting around 1,000 Zulu casualties. The capture and burning of the royal kraal of oNdini broke the military power of the Zulu Kingdom and ended organized resistance, concluding the war. By destroying the political and symbolic center of Zulu power, the battle completed British aims in the region that had been severely disrupted earlier in the campaign.
‹ Full battle dossierSources (21)
Monograph
A History of Natal
Monograph
History of the Zulu War and its Origin. Assisted in those Portions of the Work which touch upon military Matters by Lieut.-Colonel Edward Durnford
→ Open sourceMonograph
The Anglo-Zulu War
Monograph
The Anglo-Zulu War
Monograph
The Gun
Monograph
The Romance of the Golden Rand: Being the Romantic Story of the Life and Work of the Pioneers of the Witwatersrand–the World's Greatest Goldfields
→ Open sourceMonograph
The Washing of the Spears
Monograph