Battle of Majuba Hill
1881 final battle of the First Boer War
The Battle of Majuba Hill was the main battle of the First Boer War. It happened near Volksrust, South Africa on 27 February 1881.
Battle of Majuba | |||||||
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Part of First Boer War | |||||||
![]() The Battle of Majuba, drawn by Richard Caton Woodville for the Illustrated London News | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
South African Republic | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Nicolaas Smit Stephanus Roos Danie Malan Joachim Ferreira | Sir George Pomeroy Colley † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
400-500 men | 405 infantry | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 dead 5 wounded |
92 dead 134 wounded 59 captured |
While the battle was small it was important in history. It led to the signing of a peace treaty. The treaty was between the British and the South African Republic. It ended the First Boer War. Also the fire and movement tactics used by the Boers were years ahead of their time. This battle and two before it convinced the British of the Boers strength. During the Second Anglo-Boer War "Remember Majuba" became a rallying cry.
Some important British historians say that this defeat marked the beginning of the decline of the British Empire.