In OTL, Major General Elphinstone ordered a disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1842, against the advice of his officers, who wanted to hole up in a nearby fort and wait for reinforcements. He didn't, and the illusion of British invincibility was shattered (and he got a whole lot of people killed).
The revolt that lead to the retreat began on 2 November 1841, and the retreat did not begin until 6 January, 1842, plenty of time for Elphinstone to have been shot, fall off his horse, get much sicker than he already was, or even just pass away in his sleep. This would (I think) leave Brigadier John Shelton in command, and he most likely would have only gone as far as Bala Hissar. If Elphinstone dies before the New Year, when he made his very ill-advised agreement with the Afgani, they'd even still have all their powder and other supplies.
Could they have held out until relief arrived (which might not have gotten to them before spring)?
Given the comments that 'the men remember Kabul' during the India Mutiny, what long-term effects might a successful hold out and relief at Bala Hissar have had on British India?
The revolt that lead to the retreat began on 2 November 1841, and the retreat did not begin until 6 January, 1842, plenty of time for Elphinstone to have been shot, fall off his horse, get much sicker than he already was, or even just pass away in his sleep. This would (I think) leave Brigadier John Shelton in command, and he most likely would have only gone as far as Bala Hissar. If Elphinstone dies before the New Year, when he made his very ill-advised agreement with the Afgani, they'd even still have all their powder and other supplies.
Could they have held out until relief arrived (which might not have gotten to them before spring)?
Given the comments that 'the men remember Kabul' during the India Mutiny, what long-term effects might a successful hold out and relief at Bala Hissar have had on British India?