Battle of Majuba Hill

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
Part of First Boer War
The Battle of Majuba, drawn by Richard Caton Woodville for the Illustrated London News
Date 27 February 1881 Location Majuba Hill, near Volksrust, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 27.4616°S 29.8613°E / -27.4616; 29.8613 (Battle of Majuba Hill) Result Strong Boer victory
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.