On 22 April 1819, a force of about 6,000 men (some sources say 10,000), under the command of Dushane, Ndlambe's warrior son, and led by Makhanda, launched a daylight attack against Grahamstown.

The Xhosa had warned Colonel Willshire, the commanding officer, of their planned attack on the settlement.

A Khoekhoe group, led by Jan Boesak, helped the garrison to repulse Mahkanda, who suffered the loss of 1,000 Xhosa.

Makhanda was highly sought after and pursued by the British forces who they saw as being the leading protagonist in causing the war.

The battle site continues to be called "Egazini" ("Place of Blood"), and a monument was erected there for the fallen Xhosa in 2001.