African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 527: Chapter 205: The Kabul Uprising

On the morning of July 4, 1879, the British Governor in Kabul, Afghanistan, was holding a rally in the square to promote the so-called friendly relations between the two countries. Many key members of the puppet government were present.

”... Britain will bring the dawn of the civilized world to Afghanistan, allowing the country to take a significant step forward in modernization... Britain is a friend of the Afghan people, and the friendship between our two countries is as firm as a rock, unbreakable.”

As soon as the British Governor in Kabul finished his speech, members of the puppet government led the applause, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious. Without knowing it, one might really think that the relations between the two countries were as friendly as the British claimed, if not for the indifferent eyes of the majority of the people in the square.

However, among the citizens of Kabul, many people showed fierce expressions. The British Governor in Kabul certainly noticed this, but he was in a very good mood and did not plan to bother with these unruly citizens. As long as the Afghan authorities were inclined towards Britain, the overall situation was settled; what power did the people have?

”Abraham, are you ready? We will cause a commotion to draw in the guards, and you’ll be responsible for splitting the British man’s head open.”

”Leave it to me! For Allah we fight!”

Said a young Afghan man with determined eyes.

Suddenly, confusion erupted in the southwest corner of the square. This upset the British Governor in Kabul, and he signaled the guards to quell the troublemakers.

He himself walked towards the Mayor of Kabul, and said with a sullen face: ”It seems not all Afghans are our friends; some adversaries are attempting to sabotage the friendship between our two countries. However, this kind of foolish tactic is not worth mentioning.”

The Mayor of Kabul sensed the British man’s dissatisfaction but felt disgraced by the incident. He said ingratiatingly, ”They are just some vermin, hiding in the shadows, afraid to show up themselves, and inciting the youths to cause trouble. Young people are always easily misled. However, this does not hinder our friendship with your country. In the coming days, the government will dispatch personnel to cleanse some antagonistic elements in Kabul. Rest assured, we will definitely make them pay.”

His words were thus, but he was thinking that this operation might be orchestrated by one of his political rivals, so he needed to reprimand his ”loyal” subordinates.

While the two were conversing, a young man unusually moved towards them. At that time, everyone’s attention was focused on the conflict in the southwest corner, so no one noticed Abraham.

When Abraham was just a dozen meters away from them, sensing something, the British Governor in Kabul suddenly became alert. He looked under the speaking platform and spotted Abraham.

Having stepped out from the crowd, Abraham stood out significantly, which caused alarm bells to ring in the British Governor’s mind.

Abraham also noticed the gaze of the British Governor in Kabul. They exchanged looks and froze for a moment. Not good!

Abraham quickly drew a revolver from his robe and pulled the trigger at the British Governor in Kabul.

Meanwhile, the British Governor in Kabul was no ordinary person. Upon realizing the danger, he instinctively pulled the Mayor of Kabul next to him.

The Mayor of Kabul, having not noticed anything unusual, was bewildered as he wondered what the British Governor in Kabul intended to do.

Just as the sound of ”bang” from a gunshot rang out, someone attempted an assassination!

At that moment, the British Governor in Kabul pulled the mayor in front of him, made a nimble move, and dashed to a safe position behind the mayor’s body.

Abraham’s first shot hit the Mayor of Kabul, who was dragged in front to shield the shot. Seeing he missed the British man, Abraham did not hesitate and quickly aimed at the British Governor in Kabul, wanting to send him to hell.

But by then, the best opportunity for assassination was lost. Abraham fired five shots, three of which hit the Mayor of Kabul.

The Mayor of Kabul had no time to react before fainting, losing consciousness, and likely not being able to wake up again.

At this time, British guards and Afghan soldiers maintaining order at the scene had already come to support. A few strides brought them to Abraham, who was pressed down forcefully to the ground.

Knowing he couldn’t escape death, Abraham shouted with all his might: ”For freedom, for Afghanistan, long live Allah!”

Only then did the British Governor in Kabul, still shaken, realize he was drenched in cold sweat, his legs too frightened to stand.

Several British guards quickly stepped forward to support the governor and assisted him to a safe place, fearing further complications.

At this time, hearing gunshots, the Afghan resistance within the city knew that Abraham had taken action. Although unsure if the British man was dead, they still launched a revolt.

Immediately, the city of Kabul erupted with gunfire, marking the beginning of the grand Kabul uprising!

Having calmed down, the Governor in Kabul realized the severity upon hearing the chaotic gunfire and hastily organized the army to prepare for suppression.

The entire Kabul city area plunged into chaos. Hundreds of insurgents ambushed in Kabul engaged in firefights with British troops and collaborators in the city, and resistance forces that had reached the outskirts days earlier began to siege the city too.

Both sides embroiled the citizens of Kabul in the tumultuous fight, but the Afghan uprising forces, after all, were weak and soon pushed into residential areas, leading to intense street battles.

Outside the city, the Afghan resistance also engaged in firefights with the British on the walls. However, because the British Governor in Kabul escaped the crisis...

British forces did not panic, their backbone still intact, allowing the British Governor in Kabul to quickly stabilize the troops and counter the Afghan resistance forces.

The city fight lasted from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., yet sporadic gunfire could still be heard.

Once inner-city fighting was resolved, the British could fully focus on the Afghan resistance forces outside the city. Despite their fearless spirit causing considerable British casualties, the resistance couldn’t do much against the garrison in Kabul due to lack of heavy weapons.

Seeing the hopeless situation, Ilya said, ”We better retreat now! Failing to capture Kabul in time, we might be surrounded if reinforcements from other British regions arrive later. We won’t be able to escape by then. It’s 4 p.m. now, a few hours until dark, we better retreat quickly.”

Ilya considered that after dark, the British likely wouldn’t dare to pursue, since they weren’t familiar with the terrain, so retreating was wise for now.

Murat, resentful, said, ”What a pity this opportunity was!”

Ilya comforted him, ”We’ve dealt a heavy blow to the British. We can attack again later. Our actions will inspire other forces, making Afghan liberation easier. For now, we need to preserve our main force, can’t afford to lose it here.”

Murat wasn’t one to ignore advice; he knew if they didn’t retreat, they’d be trapped later. Anyway, capturing Kabul today seemed impossible.

”Let’s go!”

Initially arriving with over three thousand men, now just over a thousand remained, losing hundreds in Kabul. Being the Afghan capital, the British garrison there was large, utilizing collaborators’ assistance, making it unlikely for the resistance to capture Kabul with so few men.

Had the Governor in Kabul died, there might’ve been a chance against the leaderless British, but the governor’s remarkable escape ability saved him from disaster.