Battle of Magdala

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Battle of Magdala

Date	April 9 - April 13, 1868
Location	Amba Mariam
Result	British victory

Combatants

Great Britain

Ethiopia

Commanders

Robert Napier

Emperor Tewodros II

Casualties

Tewodros commits suicide

The Battle of Magdala was fought in April of 1868 between British and Ethiopian forces. The British were led by Robert Napier, while the Ethiopians were led by Emperor Tewodros II. The British won the battle, and Tewodros committed suicide.

Tewodros was a moderniser and realised the importance of powerful weapons. He asked Britain for assistance in the making of cannons, but this was refused. He then held captive a group of European missionaries and instructed them to build a cannon for him.

Britain used this an excuse to mount a hugely expensive expedition. They used the new telegraph link with India to organise this venture, using British and Indian troops.

The British seized many books and artefacts, most of which are still held in public collections such as the British Museum, and in private collections such as Queen's library at Windsor Castle. The Afromet campaign has been set up to lobby for the return of these objects to Ethiopia.