The Battle of Isandlwana took place on January 22, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It was a significant conflict between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom in present-day South Africa. The British forces, numbering around 1,800, were caught off guard by a well-coordinated Zulu attack, leading to a devastating defeat for the British. The battle is notable for the Zulu's effective use of traditional tactics and their superior knowledge of the terrain. Approximately 1,300 British soldiers were killed, making it one of the worst defeats for the British military in the 19th century. The outcome shocked the British public and military leadership.