History Daily 1293: The Sole Survivor of the Retreat from Kabul
Jan 13, 2026
On January 13, 1842, a disastrous retreat from Kabul during the First Anglo-Afghan War leaves Assistant Surgeon William Brydon as the sole survivor. The podcast delves into Britain's motivations for invading Afghanistan amid fears of Russian influence. It vividly narrates the chaos of ambushes and failed negotiations during the retreat, showcasing Brydon’s harrowing journey to Jalalabad. His famous declaration, 'I am the army,' resonates as a symbol of survival, leading to a brutal British counterexpedition and the sacking of Kabul.
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Murder Sparks Wider Revolt
- Sir Alexander Burnes watched a mob break into nearby stables and was later hacked to death in his ruined courtyard.
- His murder marked a turning point that intensified Afghan resistance against British occupation.
Occupation Choices Fueled Rebellion
- The British installed Shah Shuja as a puppet and reduced payments to tribal leaders, eroding local support.
- Those decisions, plus poor camp positioning, created conditions ripe for widespread revolt.
Betrayal At Negotiation
- Wazir Akbar Khan duped the British with promises of safe passage, then orchestrated attacks that decimated the retreating column.
- Senior officers were captured, leaving the column leaderless and vulnerable to massacre.