Here, at a point where the road narrowed, a force of about 12,000 to 15,000 Afghan tribesmen was in place along the hills, threatening the column's flank.

As Stewart began to reposition his men to respond, the mass of Afghan tribesmen rushed over the hills and attacked.

While the British-led force had difficulty in holding their line, the Afghans were eventually driven back and, after an hour of fierce fighting, the tribesmen fled.

[4] The Afghans suffered heavy casualties – 2,000 to 3,000 killed – compared with British and Indian loses of 17 dead and 124 wounded.

[2] Following the battle, Stewart continued to advance and occupied Ghazni the next day, before marching on to Kabul without further substantial resistance.