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The Gun War 1880-1881

State Entry Exit Combat Forces Population Losses
Basuto 1880 1881 120000 1500000 8000
Britain 1880 1881 50000 38000000 2000

Gun War (1880-81), southern African war that ended 10 years of rule by the British Cape Colony over Basutoland (Lesotho). Cape magistrates had interfered with the chiefs' authority and with the traditional laws of the Sotho people; part of southern Lesotho was demarcated for white use, and a 1879 Disarmament Act was to be enforced in 1880. The Sotho refused to give up their guns. Fighting from defensive positions in rugged mountainous country, the Sotho kept the inefficient Cape forces at bay. A decisive engagement occurred at Qalabani (October 1880), in which the Sotho ambushed a column of Cape soldiers, killing or wounding 39 of them. Peace was patched up, but the Cape was unable to reassert control, and the British government in London took over responsibility for Lesotho in 1884. The Gun War is one of the few examples in southern Africa of Africans winning a conflict with whites in the 19th century.
Last Update: December 16, 2000

Armed Conflict Events Database

Armed Conflict Events Data (ACED) is an research project providing independent information about known wars, international disputes, civil wars, rebellions, coups, revolutions, genocides and other violent conflicts. ACED has been online since December 2000. Various partial revisions and modifications have been implemented since then, however, the limitations of the this format hamper further development. During 2005, the decision was made to radically restructure the available conflict information into a database. The new Armed Conflict Events Database (ACEDb) will substantially increase the utility of available conflict data for students of military history. As well, it will offer expanded opportunities to add and edit records of conflict. Existing research material will be maintained in its present form but no revisions are planned. More news about the development of ACEDb may be found at News About the Armed Conflict Events Database. Feedback is welcome.