The engagement at Arogee was part of the Second Abyssinian War, which stemmed from escalating tensions between the British Empire and Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia. In 1867, Tewodros II had imprisoned several British diplomats and missionaries, prompting a military expedition by the British government to secure their release. The British force was primarily composed of British soldiers and Indian sepoys, numbering approximately 33,000 troops. As they advanced into Ethiopia, logistical challenges, difficult terrain, and harsh weather conditions compounded their journey, yet they remained focused on their objective to confront Tewodros's forces.

The battle itself took place on the rugged highlands of Northern Ethiopia, near the town of Arogee. The superior training and firepower of the British and Indian forces, which included artillery and rifles, contrasted sharply with the tactics and weaponry employed by the predominantly local Ethiopian army. During the confrontation, the Ethiopian forces suffered devastating losses, with estimates suggesting around 700 men killed and many others wounded amidst the fighting.

Although only two British and Indian troops died, the victory affirmed British military prowess in the region and significantly weakened Tewodros II’s military capabilities. This battle set the stage for subsequent confrontations, ultimately leading to Tewodros's defeat and subsequent suicide in 1868, as the British sought a swift resolution to the conflict. The battle at Arogee was a pivotal moment in the Second Abyssinian War, influencing both local politics in Ethiopia and British colonial ambitions in East Africa.