First and Second Battles of El Teb

Part of the Mahdist War, 1881–1899

Mahdist Sudan

Date	4–29 February 1884
Location	El Teb, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Trinkitat
Result	February 4: Mahdist victory February 29: Decisive British victory

Belligerents

Sudan

United Kingdom

Egypt

Commanders and leaders

Osman Digna

Valentine Baker
Sir Gerald Graham

Strength

February 4:
1,000 warriors

February 29:
10,000 warriors
unknown artillery

February 4:
3,500 Egyptian infantry

February 29:
4,500 British infantry and cavalry
22 artillery pieces
6 machine guns

Casualties and losses

February 4:
unknown

February 29:
2,000 killed
unknown wounded

February 4:
~2,700 killed or captured

February 29:
30 killed
142 wounded

February 4:
1,000 warriors

February 4:
3,500 Egyptian infantry

February 4:
unknown

February 4:
~2,700 killed or captured

The First and Second Battles of El Teb (February 4, 1884 and February 29, 1884) took place during the British Sudan Campaign where a force of Sudanese under Osman Digna won a victory over an 3500 strong Egyptian force under the command of General Valentine Baker which was marching to relieve Tokar on the 4th. A second British force under Sir Gerald Graham arrived on the 29th, engaging and defeating Osman Digna with few casualties.

Britain's involvement in the Sudan was a consequence of its support for the Khedive of Egypt following the repression of Urabi Pasha's revolt in 1882. Despite Egypt still being nominally part of the Ottoman Empire, the Khedive's rule was dependent on direct British support, given to ensure the security of the Suez Canal and the elimination of the Sudanese slave trade.

However, the British government under Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone sought to stay out of affairs in Egyptian-governed Sudan, that was threatened by an uprising led by the Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, who declared a Jihad, against the ‘Turks’, represented by the Egyptian troops. The Mahdist forces enjoyed considerable success against Egyptian troops in 1882 and 1883, and several towns garrisoned by Egyptian troops found themselves surrounded. In their haste to be rid of the Sudanese question, the British urged the Egyptians to evacuate their troops.

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