“What echoes remain from the clashes of empires here at Char Asiab?” This town lies roughly seven miles south of Kabul. It sits within the Char Asiab District.
Char Asiab has seen conflict. It was the site of two battles during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. The first Battle of Charasiab occurred on October 6, 1879. The second followed on April 25, 1880.
Let’s focus on that first battle. The British and Indian troops fought against Afghan regular forces and tribesmen. The conflict arose after the British envoy in Kabul was murdered in September 1879. This event restarted the war.
Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts led the Kabul Field Force. On October 5, 1879, Roberts reached Charasiab. He camped there overnight, awaiting his force’s baggage. The next morning, a large Afghan force appeared. These soldiers, equipped with artillery and local tribesmen, held the hills. Nek Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kabul and uncle of former Amir Yakub Khan, commanded them.
Roberts’ force attacked first. They feigned a move to the left of the Afghan line. Then, they launched their main attack to the right. The fighting stretched on for hours. Finally, the British-led force pushed the Afghan army back. By 3:45 pm, they had cleared the route to Kabul. Roberts then advanced and occupied Kabul on October 13.
British casualties totaled 18 killed and 70 wounded. Afghan deaths exceeded 300. The British captured twenty Afghan field guns. This included a brass howitzer previously gifted to the Afghan government. They also seized a large amount of small arms and ammunition.
Notably, the British force used Gatling guns for the first time in action at Charasiab.
The official dispatch spells the location as “Charasiab”. However, the regiments present received the battle honor “Charasiah”. General Roberts’ memoirs refer to “Charasia”. Regardless of the spelling, the battle here at Char Asiab was significant.
The Char Asiab District itself has a diverse population. In 2002, the UNHCR estimated 32,500 residents. Pashtuns form the majority, followed by Tajiks and a few Hazaras.
Around 1992, Char Asiab suffered during the war in Afghanistan. During the Mujahideen regime, it served as the main military base of Hezb-e-Islami Gulbudin.
Today, the Kabul River flows through the Char Asiab District. Agriculture is the main source of income. Even with a low water table in summer, the land is irrigated and cultivated. Char Asiab stands as a testament to Afghanistan’s enduring spirit. It has seen conflict and change, yet it persists.