At this point the British main body (consisting of the remains of 66th Regt., Bombay Sappers & Miners, and 1st Bombay Grenadiers) were faced with a no-win situation: remain in square formation in order to defend versus a charge by the multiple nearby Afghan cavalry and Ghazi units, or go into open order into present less of a target for the gathering Afghan infantry and artillery, and possibly “make a break for it” up the South bank of Mundabad Ravine. But in order to ascend the ravine they would first have to spend an entire turn up against the base, which would leave them wide open to attack from the rear. Mindful of the downside, the British still chose to remain in square.
