The Battle of Kandahar occurred during a critical phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which spanned from 1878 to 1880. Following the initial British invasion, tensions escalated in the region, fueled by rising Afghan nationalism. General Frederick Roberts led British troops against the forces commanded by Mohammad Ayub Khan, who had rallied his army to resist British authority after the British victory in the earlier Battle of Maiwand. The British aimed to solidify their presence in Afghanistan and sought to protect their Indian Empire from any potential threats emanating from the region.

As British forces approached Kandahar in late August 1880, Ayub Khan prepared for their advance, fortifying his position. On September 1, British troops, numbering around 10,000, faced a more numerous enemy estimated at 15,000. Roberts’s well-trained forces utilized superior artillery and tactical maneuvering to create a significant advantage. The battle commenced with a fierce clash, but it soon turned into a rout for Ayub Khan's troops, who were unable to withstand the disciplined assaults of the British forces. The decisive victory at Kandahar not only marked a turning point in the war but also reasserted British dominance in Afghanistan and led to the reinstatement of a puppet ruler, Shere Ali Khan’s successor.

This battle had lasting implications for Afghanistan. While it marked the end of open hostilities, it did not resolve underlying tensions, leading to further conflict in the region in the decades to follow. The British occupation of Afghanistan would continue to be a contentious issue, shaping the future of British colonial policy in Asia.