The discovery of mineral deposits in southern Africa made that region important to the British Empire. The Zulu kingdom was the most powerful African state in the area and its break-up was considered necessary to facilitate economic development. In 1878, the British sent King Cetshwayo an ultimatum demanding that he dissolve the tribal system known as the amabutho and accept British control. The king refused and on January 11, 1879, British troops invaded Zululand.

    A column of troops - the so-called Center Column - under Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford crossed the Mzinyathi River at Rorke's Drift. Summer rains kept the army in camp at Rorke's Drift for over a week but on the 20th the column was able to make progress and camped near a mountain called Isandlwana. Early on the morning of the 22nd, Chelmsford took part of the column to probe for Zulu's reported in the area. He left Lt. Colonel Henry Pulleine of the 1/24th in charge of the camp.

    Meanwhile, the main Zulu impi, perhaps 25,000 strong, had advanced to meet the Center column. On the night of the 21st, it bivouacked near Isandlwana just north of the Nqutu escarpment. During the morning of the 22nd, patrols sent out by Pulleine discovered the Zulu army. The patrols retreated back across the escarpment with Zulu regiments in full pursuit. The British camp, reduced in strength, was under attack.

    It was now noon on January 22, 1879...

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